Within the village church
white-vestmented priests
say a novena mass
In the doorway stand a trinity
of jungle-camouflaged soldiers
arms ready in arms
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who have sinned against us
echoes through the nave
To the right of the door
in the damp twilight
under a wool blanket
An indigenous couple huddles
a baby wrapped
to mother’s side
The ribbon-decorated sleeves
of her yellow bodice bright
as she pours a cloudy drink
May the peace of the Lord
be with you
And also with you
The soldiers still, silent
staring towards
that altar
You may give each other
the embrace of brotherhood *
One soldier
head shorn bare
looks away
Away from the embraces
away from the couple
towards a mural
In this evening complete
can he see that family, that rainbow
those words?
With social justice, peace is possible
peace is possible because
love is possible
©2019, Lorraine Caputo
*Normally it is said: the embrace of peace
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The focus of "The BeZine," a publication of The Bardo Group Beguines, is on sacred space (common ground) as it is expressed through the arts. Our work covers a range of topics: spirituality, life, death, personal experience, culture, current events, history, art, and photography and film. We share work here that is representative of universal human values however differently they might be expressed in our varied religions and cultures. We feel that our art and our Internet-facilitated social connection offer a means to see one another in our simple humanity, as brothers and sisters, and not as “other.” This is a space where we hope you’ll delight in learning how much you have in common with “other” peoples. We hope that your visits here will help you to love (respect) not fear. For more see our Info/Mission Statement Page.
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The BeZine 
“In this evening complete
can he see that family, that rainbow
those words?”
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