Abraham's Altar

Cold stone

wrenched

from the warm womb of mother earth

forms a memory crypt,

and stale, incensual memories

lie heavy, and hormonal

over the white, wax-stained sheet

that covers Abraham’s altar.

Saintly downcast eyes

- alabaster surveillance-

watch the comings and goings,

as salvation is dolled out by incantation,

and holy water.

Lives blessed in,

 and out;

tears shed carelessly by anointed hand.

©Niall OConnor 2014