Marlene Mountain

winter evening

i hurried across the frozen ground to a rarely used building still puzzled about the meeting. i had been asked by a superior if i might join his group. an old member had just passed on and another member was very much needed. i descended into a hallway with several closed doors and continued down another set of stairs. voices came from a slightly-opened door on which i barely knocked. my newly-acquainted friend welcomed and motioned me to a seat. i didn't know the men but recognized some by their outer garb folded on two chairs beside a wall. on the table in front of each was a bowl of salad, a wine cup, a small plate with cranberry sauce and an empty dinner plate. a moving prayer was said. two large platters of steaks were brought in by my friend. then two large bowls of boiled potatoes and bread in baskets on a large tray. the food was passed around the table. he filled the wine cups and then took his seat at the table. after we finished our meal it was greatly blessed by all. after tea and a little small talk we descended worn stairs. several doors into interior rooms were unlocked. the air was quite cold in a rather small dimly-lit room. a few candles showed a figure on a gold cross. on a table near us were vases of glowing incense sticks. farther along the table were amber-colored jars of various sizes and contents and a tall bottle. there were also twelve small plates, tiny glasses and various gold utensils. we kneeled in unison and intoned: thank thee our beloved guide thru life and death and for thy goodness of heart and soul. we thank thee for our lives in thy life and for thy life in our lives. we thank thee for this moment dear brother who sustains. we thank thee john paul 2 for thy blood and thy body.

a naked man in a single angel wing dead