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j.lewis
quiet hovers in this sacred place
the last vestiges of uncleanliness
scoured away
this morning before dawn
a priestess enters unspeaking
spreads the utensils of the first sacrament
with practiced ease
across the twice blessed stand
saving for last
three basins of consecrated water
a second priestess enters
nods
and sets about preparing the altar
draping it in layers of holy cloth
reverent attention
to every folded corner
a heavy door groans open
as cardinal and claustral converge
hands raised in traditional deference
to those who sanctified them
for this work
in a flurry of activity
they are robed head to toe
in heavenly blue
every element of the common world
covered against the chance
that some small sin
may yet cling to them
and falling unchecked
defile the offering
the sacramental emblem arrives
prepared and positioned
precisely
with an upward glance
at the clock high on the wall
the priest grips his blade
brow wrinkled in concentration
nine o’clock he incants
midline incision
xyphoid to umbilicus
~
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About the Poet
j.lewis is a poet, musician, and Nurse Practitioner. His poetry and music reflect the difficulty and joy of human interactions, and often draw inspiration from his decades of experience in healthcare. When he is not writing, composing, or diagnosing, he is often on a kayak, exploring and photographing the waterways near his home.