by Peter Gallaher
Enter the sanctuary
White the vestments
White the altar
White the light above
White the folded sheets
Gleaming instruments
While the hidden victim waits
The vessels of evacuation
Receive of the blood
Of sacrifice now in silence
To silent innocence offered
For a moment's shame
A day's regret
A ruined plan
A way to forget
Joyless this brief eucharist
A sigh in time unshared
An afterthought before
Bloody darkness below
