Somewhere In Southern Texas

Is this a true story or a legend still believed by the locals? Somewhere in Southern Texas, there's a small church with a white marble cross which sways as desert willows... when the crisp ocean's morning breeze blows. The Spanish Missionaries built it with rocks that rolled down the cliff to honor Christ, the conqueror of death... then the natives were converted by it. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and hidden among palm trees, this sanctuary was forbidden to anyone who had an extra matrimonial affair, and the one who disregarded it, would have died there. How can anyone, who worshiped God with a bowed head, have cursed this house of prayer where the faithful prayed? Was he an excommunicate monk who had rebelled against the Pope? Had that harsh punishment turned into vengeance tighter than a rope? It still remains a mystery linked to a superstitious legend causing disarray; there was a well-known, lantern-lit den of witches not far away... they sold potions in exchange for cornmeal and homemade Tequila, and they got drunk every Sunday while the organ played, " Ave Maria." Somewhere in Southern Texas, I stand on the decaying steps of a Baroque Church that angels still defend, noticing the deep columns cracks filled with sand. Written by Andrew Crisci for Constance's contest, " The Church By The Ocean " October 1, 2011