(Composed after a trip to the San Juan
Capistrano Mission, October 2011)
A ruby red glow guides me
Down the dark corridor,
As I approach the altar,
The chapel of St Peregrine.
Prayers have been offered,
Tears shed for the sick,
The weary, the suffering.
I bow the knee and make my petition,
An intercession for those I know,
For those for whom these
Many votives have been lit,
For the relatives and friends,
Struggling to cope, to understand,
Seeking answers, seeking hope.
My soul yearns for their relief,
For peace and joy to uplift their spirits.
A fire in my breast urges me onward,
But I rise after a time, for the tourists
Are speaking in raised voices,
A healthy, young couple on holiday
Arguing about their camera settings.
