Peter's Birch

THE

BIRCH

TREE

Shale-gray morn

Lace in purse

Thin-paged Missal

Scriptural verse.

Rosary rattles

Scooped from table

Will pray ‘fore Mass

If I am able.

Quiet still

Children sleeping

One more coffee

For my keeping.

Back porch view

Conscience-clear

Trees stand guard

There’s naught to fear.

For like the tree

With anchored root

When heresy-hales

I can dispute…

Hold holy ground

White-surpliced birch

“Anchors aweigh!”

I sail to Church.