Images of San Luis
Often of late
And far from this poor
Tin-roofed-made-to-like adobe church
I have seen a votive candle burn low in a red glass
Sole illumination in this dark corner
Of a chipped plaster image
Of San Luis de Gonzaga
Church patron
Standing two feet high
Yellowing surplus over faded black cassock
Eyes downcast, seeking heaven
This is where my father stood to make his peace
When times were difficult to
Ask forgiveness of stubborn sin through his namesake
And where I now stand
Drawn from afar to make my difficult peace
With the memory
Of his tobacco and whiskey breath
L. Luis Lopez
From Musings of a Barrio Sack Boy
