Incarnating the Images

Incarnating the Image

Overtly, yes, the images present themselves

upon the grainy surface of the writing desk, 

their arteries engorged with life enough

to satisfy, if momentarily, the thirsty page beneath

the vacant eye. A lilting labrador 

with tumors, a hair stuck on the shower stall,

blue trimming freshly painted on 

a yellow house, and on the metaphors extend, 

beyond expectancy, as potential gifts of grace

unrequited. And what, we ask, could this

the excess of provision signify, if not

our latent call to don the holy garments 

of the priesthood, to realize the images

as sacrifice, artistic oblation to the Imageless—

a calling, yes, to manifest the labradors

and shower hairs as insufficient form   

of offered gratitude, presented humbly to the Formless,

fraught with prayerful supplication: Let these

our meager offerings, though paltry, be nonetheless received.