Communion linen

horse bows its
head at the hitching
post, butterflies fold
in prayer, amen, open
up, practice their flying
maneuvers through empty
stirrups, liturgical colors soar,
bee on the horse's mane not to
sting but a symbol of resurrection,

lamb, the
paschal victim bleats
in the pasture, crimson
and clover,

her hand clenches
the beeswax unbleached
altar candles, the white altar
cloth tucked under her arm, this
time the man of the cloth makes no
demands for he is not here, memories
of what pastures to ride and what ones
not,

altar crucifix
sinks in the horse
water trough,

communion
linen and candles
fresh and tidy on the
altar, she fills the stirrups
and rides away hell bent for
leather, doves descend from
the sky, the snow is heavy with
peace, the closer she gets to the
wagon wheels, the closer God is with
her,

reversible
communion linen
on the bed, two women
wrapped in a wool blanket,
wintering partners f***ing out
the mystical meaning.

Copyright Ms. Sage Sweetwater, firebrand lesbian novelist