I kneel before your alter, Lord
with all my impossible
and not so impossible pasts
with all that I must carry
and all that I must leave
I kneel before your alter, Lord
with each face I’ve seen in each mirror I’ve passed
and each face unseen in any reflection
each smile, each tear
each breath drawn or held
and you offer your breath
and your reflection
I stand
with your face
shining on my own
and carry your alter
and offer your forgiveness,
your breath
and your reflection
to everyone I meet
and when I forget
I return
and kneel
and begin
anew