In this free-verse poem for All Saints' Day, the separate characters of saints are depicted as varying materials for the altar. Altar Cloth Sainted cloth, pleated by prayer, unfolding beneath a dagger-studded sky with the smell of fear lingering beside spear points. Faith resilient through tortured trails and visions of snow white lambs in the air. Sainted cloth, silk and linen crystalline tears fall from blackened eyes.
Faith is their shield and prayer the only weapon for combat.
Include poetry regularly in the church newsletter. Print poetry in the church bulletin. Indeed, as with music, painting and other art forms, writing poetry can provide a creative sacred space where the divine and the human spirit work together. Most churches use poetry in the form of Psalms or prayers. But when a congregation empowers the poets who sit in every pew to get busy, something special can take place.