they walk
like this
down the
aisle
s    s
i by i
d    d
e    e
hands in
prayer
and seeking
solace

I can
feel their
sadness,
see it in
their eyes,
it's as if
it would
only take
an angels'
touch to
let the
feeling
flow

they arrive
like this
at the
altar
s    s
i by i
d    d
e    e
hands open,
ready to
receive
the gifts

they accept
the gifts
of life
body and
blood
bread and
wine
the ritual
repeated
the words
spoken

they return
like this
to their
lives
s    s
i by i
d    d
e    e
hands closed
kneeling
lost in
thought

and yet,
they are
still
where they
were,
still seeking
solace,
and I
wonder

is solace
offered
when it
is
expected?

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