The Feast of Saint Michael

Evening prayer.

"The Feast of St. Michael".

A cloak of darkness falls

in the chapel.

Half light,

as three small girls

process

the central aisle.

By tradition

the littlest one,

the smallest girl,

my sister Susan

carried the golden painting;

an icon of the great man astride his horse;

and of course,

he is armed and defensive.

*

Edged in gold,

and covered in glass.

heavy.

“rest it on your stomach

and you’ll make it

to the Communion rails”,

not the altar.

*

No females allowed there

on hallowed ground.

only the Sacristan.

*

The candles flicker

on either side of St. Michael.

The gentle glow

illuminates,

lights up their faces.

*

Their veils fall softly,

white frocks crisp,

demeanor serious,

important.

*

Rae’s candle dips,

tips dangerously,

and she — so concentrated,

prayerful,

misses seeing her

veil aflame.

*

I should have been praying,

but watching closely

from a nearby pew,

I saw her veil catch

…..alight.

*

Scrambling out — over Holly

I raced towards the

lightly licking flames

to tear

away

the fiery veil

from her face.

They processed on.

*

They thanked me later;

the 3 little girls

from the junior school.

*

a.a.gallagher

copyright 1996

all rights reserved