[third world madonna]

 

suddenly there is light all around
and the silences

of morning

a small town

waking

birds

distant cattle

work-bound traffic on the road outside

voices, muted and curious

laughter, footsteps

Such an ordinary light

            skimming a cup

            nudging the rim of a bowl

            gilding one wooden arm

                           of an old chair

            dust spangling in sunshine

The smell of grass, baled hay

and wood smoke

bread fresh from a nearby oven

earth

and blood

and new milk

And the brightness

the dizzying, commonplace brilliance of

            oh!      falling in love:

            the universe contracts

            into a blessed trinity

of elbow, breast and fontanelle