sanctum
inspired by Manuel Fajar’s “Short the Battle—Long the Wait”.

fortuitous for you, indeed:
that blood stains mind but not the hands,
and memory can still be healed.

she purifies such earthly sins,
though in her hallowed halls reside
unbanished specters that survived.

silken bolts of gossamer sheer
rein wayward horses, waylaid streams;
they are needed in the crossing.

—

time passes, whisper-swift against
colorless tapestries that hang
thick upon her waiting-court walls.

consecrate vale and harp and soul:
triad of past life’s nothing, cleansed
of warrior and maid alike.

disciples diffuse forgiveness;
she brings forth men you killed of old—
their faces blend, tomb’s mosaic.

in life, driven by the promise
of her glorious halls; in death,
repentance must be woven first.