by Lorraine Caputo

On this Santo Saturday 
the Virgin of Sorrows wends 
through the narrow streets 
of this white-stone city 
 
In this cool night, 
her podium sways 
atop the shoulders 
of two dozen men 
 
At her feet, a carpet of 
thick tapers flutters— 
the scent of beeswax & sweet white flowers, 
of pungent palo santo incense 
 
In that light gleam 
the embroidered gold threads 
the encrusted gems 
of her black-velvet cape & canopy 
 
Her crown & gold halo 
of fine rays, fine jewels 
sway in rhythm to 
the brass & drum band 
 
Surrounded by hundreds 
of faithful grasping candles, 
flickering flames illuminating 
their lips silently praying 

Lorraine Caputo is a documentary poet, translator and travel writer. Her works appear in over 300 journals on six continents; and 20 collections of poetry – including On Galápagos Shores (dancing girl press, 2019) and Caribbean Interludes (Origami Poems Project, 2022). She journeys through Latin America, listening to the voices of the pueblos and Earth. Follow her travels at: www.facebook.com/lorrainecaputo.wanderer or https://latinamericawanderer.wordpress.com.