Glass Stain

God’s rays, through windows, in colored shadows stain

her skin, a prism of paint descends on dismal sky,

red hair, pale light cascading around her pain.

Under church canopy, sheltered from the rain,

verdant vines enlace her arms, birds fly in bluest dye, 

God’s rays, through windows, in colored shadows stain.

Across her skin, mermaids smile, flowers bloom in vain,

and beneath the canvas, a faintly heard cry,

red hair, pale light cascading around her pain.

The color of His stain, a kaleidoscope to her vein,

surfaces to beguile butterflies perched nigh,

God’s rays, through windows, in colored shadows stain.

As a curtain of light or the scent of amber He reigns,

lulls her with rainbows from panes of glass up high,

red hair, pale light cascading around her pain.

Here the light is wan, but here she can remain

captured in a dance of brilliant light and dye,

God’s rays, through windows, in colored shadows stain,

red hair, pale light cascading around her pain.

first published in Old Red Kimono. Carrollton: University of West Georgia Department of Publications and Printing, Spring 2015. Vol. XLIV. Print.