by Rebecca Blades

Created on: December 23, 2006   Last Updated: December 09, 2008

_AVE MARIA_

I visit empty cathedrals,
slide along the pews-
take in the smell of incense,
bathe my soul in holy water.

On rare days I find Antonio;
dressed in his 1940's suit,
holding his fedora tight,
kneeling before the altar.

He doesn't get here much anymore;
those feeble legs betray him,
the cane, once for show,
now hardly keeps him balanced.

I sing to Antonio when I see him;
pure and sweet refrains,
Ave Maria-it is his favorite!
He trembles with grief and pain.

Antonio loved Maria for 57 years.
He picked her as a young rosebud.
They worshiped one another daily,
until Christmas Eve just passed.

That cold and bitter night,
the angels searched eternity
tor a perfect gift for Jesus-
Alas, they found Maria.

Christmas day found Antonio
sitting near her body-
unwrapping her icy fingers
from his unsuccessful grasp.

I met Antonio that day,
crying in Emergency-
Telling me the story of their love,
I held him like a baby.

Now I visit empty cathedrals-
Just to look for Jesus
underneath the hymnal,
or in Antonio's eyes.

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