ECUMENISM

Source: researchgate

As peasants armed with censors kneel

On the steps of Santo Tomás church

In Chichicastenango

Every year on All Souls’ Day

The Trinity and the ancient Mayan gods

Come together.

The incense swung at them by careworn hands

Is carried by the wind across

The cemetery wall

Where long-dead families share the food

Of those left behind.

It is a good day.

A joyous day

All Souls’ Day

The Day of the Dead

The Day of the Living.

 

Sjef Frenken has lived in Holland and the Dutch west Indies before settling in Ottawa, where his days are devoted to music. He has produced a growing number of CDs. www.byte-town.ca

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5 Comments
  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 01:21h, 02 November Reply

    Thank you Sjef!

  • MICHAEL COUTTS
    Posted at 10:21h, 02 November Reply

    Thanks for this beautiful poem

    I did preach this same theme at a TV Mass and got a vicious letter back asking whether I was a priest of the Roman Catholic Church or belonged to a Wiccan Cult

  • Margaret Manitowabi
    Posted at 13:29h, 02 November Reply

    Anishnabek do the same we come together to feed the spirits talk about them enjoy stories shared to the next generations we light a fire and offer the food with tobacco. Our loved ones are Interwoven in us

  • Margaret Manitowabi
    Posted at 13:29h, 02 November Reply

    Anishnabek do the same we come together to feed the spirits talk about them enjoy stories shared to the next generations we light a fire and offer the food with tobacco. Our loved ones are Interwoven in us

  • Eric Jensen
    Posted at 15:35h, 03 November Reply

    Sjef – You had me at the opening line!

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