Benediction

Not a story, they said, not even a line.

And there wasn't a line, there was a circle.

A perfect circle, though there were breaks.

But it wasn't broken, it was open.

It was open in the spaces between—

It was open in the spaces between them.

And they were like candles, giving light.

But the light came from the length of their bodies.

And they were like lilies, that opened their throats.

And as they opened they almost touched.

And they threw back their heads, and the circle widened.

And there was silence, but they were singing.

Copyright © 2007 Martha Collins All rights reserved
from Sheer
The Barnwood Press
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission