Disinterested in the service
she used to sit mesmerized
mostly at the lights streaming
specifically at her face
she might be getting hesitant
to share a space with so many
others there to partake in
a meal and communion together
she runs to the nursery where
covetous of donated toys
she insists on bringing home
from time to time she eats
a pickle and chocolate chip
cookie asking for another
we have to go back to
the dining room I say
suddenly uninhibited by shyness
she runs for the second cookie
and finds her mother to sit
by her side just in time for
prayer she knows to place
her hands together not just
in thanks or saying grace
not even to imitate these faces
bowed with closed eyes I know
she keeps her eyes open
repeating most of the words
to the prayer we haven’t even
specifically taught her to know
I remember being the shyness
of her age myself somehow
I don’t remember this openness
that makes me realize this ritual
probably does not come from
without or even a mirror of
what we think we should obey
there is a sweetness and we seem
to know where it comes from
we run to the room and our
bodies know how to do the rest
Joshua Keiter 