Communion of Saints

Communion of Saints

I see god Brahma on his throne of lotus,
and all the seers and serpents of light.
     --Arjuna

Kneeling seems hard, and our shoulders
pulsate. Won't our lord persuade his

priest to read faster? Now he sings,
comes to the part where host surges,

where blood makes a brief appearance,
     and all of us remain bowed till

     a wafer crosses the borders
of our selves. Behind him, the altar

transforms, too, to a kitchen table,
     and our parents gather round,

     mimicking us then showering
us with rice and water and salt.