Saint Dismas

Somewhere,

they are lifting up the evening sacrifice.

Scarlet stains the stone before the Holy of Holies

where once they hid  Mercy Seat

but I will never see that stone.

Somewhere,

they are making ready for Shabbat–

finish all your labors now

for night is coming

and the day of solemn rest.

But I will never see another night.

Somewhere is a Seraph

whose burning eyes reflect the Glory

Who, veiling hands and feet and face

adores the Presence

Holy

Holy

Holy

but I cannot hear the seraph cry, not yet.

All that I can see

from here

is you

and hear Your voice pronounce the words of pardon:

This Day, you will be with me in Paradise. 

(image via Wikimedia Commons)