Brighter Than a Crown Jewel

Configurations from seafoam

establish image; smoky skies

justify visions—dreamscapes,

            enigmas, flashback of senses—

(as though visons must be

            accounted for before proven

to be valid.) Memory or ecstasy?

Nature or nurture? Embroidered

tapestry with cat in front of stone

castle, torn cucumber-colored flag

            waves near primitive hostel.

            Heirloom discovery: with

Notre Dame burning history

mystery rises in high orange

flames. Marble statue of the

Virgin in a bed of white iris:

(olive-skinned, pretty girl,

            purer than whipped cream,)

more grace-filled than

            Pavlova’s pirouette,

famous aria sung by Pavarotti. One

miniscule ember highlights

Mary’s shoulder, refashions

            conflagration: luster becomes

shadow:  swift agnostic-like denial.  

Then hunger sets in;

message sounds forth: Joy

like the smell of roses,

            bright as a crown jewel

            only God can make shine.