next page

Andrea O'Reilly Herrera

cantabrian pilgrimage

          June 11, 1998



one,
out of byzantium,
among a slouching crowd,
seeking the way
of headless saints
across a field of stars.

Chorus:

eight centuries, ten
pressed smooth into thick marble columns
palms to fingertips fingertips to palms
weaving flesh into bones
ragged and sewn
lips to cloth and stone.


one,
out of byzantium,
cloaked in sacred gloom,
seeking to rest,
to dance, to sing,
against the brow of genius.

Chorus:

eight centuries, ten
pressed smooth into thick marble columns
palms to fingertips fingertips to palms
weaving flesh into bones
ragged and sewn
lips to cloth and stone.


one,
out of byzantium,
among a slouching crowd.
seeking the way
of headless saints
across a field of stars.

         next page