Saint Paul’s Chapel
Falls County, TX
My mother used to stop here on her way
to Waco in the summers, just to look
the chapel over. Smiling, she would say
that it reminded her of shells she took
from Alys Beach, all white and unadorned,
and beautiful for being what they were.
I used to stop here too, when I was worn
out on the road, but can’t admit to her
that once, I parked here, trying to renew
a faith I’d almost given up by then,
and weeping, faced that empty field (of
you)
and knew
I’d never get it back again.
Years on,
my Lord, you still
don’t answer me.
Small grace,
this life I’ve made
inside the empty.
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