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