It’s calla lilies at the Virgin’s feet
in New Church of Saint Nicholas, a rose
crowning each foot’s cuneiform bones, Seat
of Wisdom standing erect, her sad pose
forcing soft eyes toward heaven. Curling band
of lilies stunning me, tracing how they
ascended from their native Swaziland
to Waterford South West, each leafy spathe
offering waterfall illusion. Tell
me you don’t see this, too, in Mary’s veil,
in her river-blue sash. Tell me what fell
from her eyes just now weren’t celestial trails
of tear-shaped lilies, their tumbling bouquets
staining lily dress, flexed hands while she prays.
Roger Armbrust
May 15, 2013
