Jesus Santiago Bathing Thorns

wine
washed
the thorns
bathing in the
cauldron, the fire
fueled by acorns,

arcaded
by white adobe
from inside the walls,
the stonemason carved
the cross, the blacksmith
forged the black wrought iron
nails, the cobbler sewed the sandals,

continued outbreak
of infectuous disease,
the bibles were not passed
around,

religious hygiene
quarantined,

skeletons
in the closet,
decay and sin
encumbered by
religious easement
for periodic maintenance,
Jesus Santiago bathing thorns,
wine washing away sin, strings of
ristras, sacred fiery rosary,

gothic rockers
and lone wolfs
watch Jesus Santiago
bathing thorns, leaves of
maguey cactus smoke,

camposanto nombre
entierro, burial ground.

Copyright Ms. Sage Sweetwater, firebrand lesbian novelist