June 2021 Flash Lit 3 - Tongues of Flame

Tongues of Flame

 

We build boxes—

golden arks, gothic chancels,

filigreed and silver-chased cages of words,

shrines of bony relics.

Inside, we hide, kneel, recite,

chant, incant, decant

the bloody wine.

 

We pretend

we understand.

 

Then the fiery feathers

rush upon us and

we burn,

our boxes so much kindling

for the bursting Spirit

so much bigger

than even the cathedral

dome of sky and its infinite

whirl of stars.

 

No wonder the angels start

with

Be not afraid.