st mary's coronation

will you be my Ava Maria?
her eyes did a quick scan of the bar room from the stool on which she sat
but i am not a believer she said
  I  AM  he said

she put down her gin and tonic
and ordered a Bloody Mary --- no bacon
and with her left hand she pulled his sweated brow to her breast

her right she lifted up towards the neon Dos Equis sign

She prayed  (out loud) three Hail Marys -Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners
he wept in her arms seeking both repentance and solitude

 My Son you are forgiven she said
     go forth and sin no more ---   he tipped her a wide eyed Jefferson and a 1969 quarter

pulling the green olive from the Bloody Mary she settled on the toothpick -
while ordering another gin and tonic -
when she looked up from the bar there was a line of believers strung
clear to the exit door
in need of warmth and forgiveness

the waitress began singing cohen's Hallelujah louder then louder as

the bartend placed a new Crown Royal label on her forehead
one by one they came (the sinners and not so sinful alike) to receive the
comfort of a Holy Mother

by closing time the room was filled with candles (and reporters)
                  and she ordered a second round of miracles for all who believed......


bkmackenzie 2019