The Prayer Rug

IT is made of silences—

many colored silken threads—

the purple of various deaths—

red gold sacrifice—

meditation—a delicate green stillness

melting into blues of ecstasy.

These are the background

for one thread

that follows the mystic outline

of a cross—

and in the centre wreathed

seven red roses

seven fires of silence…

To pray

is to stand upon these

with naked feet

breast bare to the sun

and to sing.