bright as that
votive candle
lit after mass
rises above those
war torn mountains
partaking red wine before
dreaming or crepuscolo
mere shadow of a man
paralyzed & nightmares
battling memories
scarring my soul
flashbacks & delusion
traditional shot of grappa
upon my grandmother’s
ancient flowering rose
aiming for the roots
pricked my already maimed finger
bleeding upon sacred soil
blood of an unmartyred saint