Shrine

Eyes wide in wonder I entered the chapel a curious child through the back door of the church candles twinkling in the dim light streaming through the stained glass like colored candy like lollipops statues of saints standing sentry in silence staring soullessly I startled for a moment as I thought I saw one move an illusion of light and shadow from the flames flitting and flickering the white wax melting and pooling Veiled women and bearded men with sandaled feet A man’s body bloodied and broken held in his mourning mother’s arms carved in marble Morbid monuments to cruelty A shrine to suffering The air heavy as velvet curtains The scent of incense suffocating The ambiance eerie and funereal Was he watching me? Was he here? I called out my voice echoing off the brick and stone There was no answer I was alone