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Poem: “Thurible”

Thurible

Dimly-lit church, empty
except for the strong lingering scent

of spicy-sweet smoke
from a funeral earlier in the day.

Gray rising clouds
no longer visible,

stale recollections left behind
with memories of a soul I did not know.

Lives sputter and ignite
like aromatic crystals

heaped onto blistering coals,
souls billowing and ascending.

Tim Bete


Tim Bete writes from Ohio where he lives with his family and helps create affordable housing for seniors. He is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, Community of Our Mother of Good Counsel. Tim’s writing has appeared in the Amazing Grace anthology series and CatholicExchange.com, among other places. You can read more of his poetry at InteriorCell.wordpress.com.
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