Academic journal article Anglican Theological Review
Intruder
Article excerpt
Amid gleaming blond timbers of the
Bethlehem Monastery of the Poor Clares,
a wrought iron fence separates public chancel
from cloistered nave. Neon green Nikes squeaking
on hand-buffed floors, I finger the patterned gate
of thin branches that curl into sprouting leaves.
My camera, pressed through a gap, zooms in
on a haloed mosaic of Mary holding a sprig
with three blooms. Eyes fixed on viewscreen,
I don't notice the pale face concealed within
a white wimple until my flash bathes the pew
in which she kneels. Before I can apologize,
she disappears in a black-robed flurry.
In the gift shop, I peruse hand-made rosaries
in glass-fronted cabinets, remove a rough-hewn
card with calligraphy inked on the front-
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted. …