The saint who knew my name

Watching the rockets, I remembered the fiesta for the saint - 

How she was carried down to the sea -

The bells ringing in the churches -

There were stars in her hair - 

Young men had carried her in her throne - 

Thigh deep in the dark sea - 

Widows had given her their wedding rings - 

She smiled her strange painted smile - 

Her people welcomed the wide eyed boy - 

A wafer had dissolved upon my tongue - 

Rockets had hissed and stung me with their tails - 

Men blew trumpets - 

I stood on the shore -

Felt the warmth of the water against my skin - 

Gazed at the saint who knew my name - 

Church of St Mary the Virgin

East Stoke

November 2023