It began as sacrifice.
The favored son. The virgin.
A chalice of blood: blod.
Then surrogates: ram or doe.
The prettiness
Of a lamb.
A market to purchase doves.
Priests whose knives make holy
These supplications: bledsion.
Softened in time to blessen.
A votive candle instead.
Blessing.
Said over the Sunday roast
Or like a gift of good will
Bestowed.
Published in Cider Press Review, Volume 16, Issue 2.
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