Mary's Shrift

Indigenous woman—rarely accompanied by their white sisters—or their men enter through the side door of St. Peter’s Church. Here they are boxed in cool stucco, and stained-glass. A flock of Mexican Madonna’s shift today to encompass their fairer sister: Dios te salve, Maria. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo. Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres. Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre:,Jesús. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros, pecadores, ahora y en la hora ... drones on—and on—and on within the heavenly heights of gilded frescos—bleeding— rainbows prism the room in false light, kaleidoscoping upon the walls—murals of brocade, gold-threaded catch random rays. Woman anchor the pews with their desires— Pliant and pleading these mothers beseech Mary to intercede: for first class citizenship (inside and outside the Church) for work, for health, for a better life for their children. Voices of the lamb bleating; dinner for the wolves, they pray. SHORT SHRIFT-little or no attention or consideration