Christine McNeill
Croatian Lesson
Bowing before the altar,
she walks to the lectern.
We’re unprepared for
the long silence before
she speaks.
She read like this
during the country’s
last war
with armed men
at the back of the church.
Each sentence
a slow, quiet force -
the last word
stressed -
and with the same
wounded gaze
sent away.
Aware of all that was
dying in people’s lives,
she homed in on the message -
closed the book.
Head bowed before the congregation,
she held the play of dark and light,
genuflected before the crucifix,
sat down.
The service continued, as now -
shawling those taking part.
After the blessing
when everyone filed past
the men who stood
their ground
she nodded peace
at their guns
and for a moment
their eyes opened.
Page(s) 22-23
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