Embrace

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