390 - Library Student Services

The modern altar pulls us to it, light leaping out, engulfing us again and again, with disquieting reminders of what is happening in a place on the other side of our world, just in case it should be forgotten for more than one blessed instant. Images of a homeland. Not ours. Names located in a country far away, barely pronounceable by Midwestern generals trained in global military ways, not in other than English, older than Jesus linguistics. Orders to deploy with no return date. Mothers and fathers giving their children over to be cared for by others with the unspoken codicil “if I don’t return, take care.” We continue our daily chores getting up and getting ourselves to school, to work, to our own self-destruction. Games are played. People win. People lose. Tell me again, what is friendly fire? While fathers fight next to their sons. While everyone draws near to watch every image cast for a glimpse. Oh please, just a glimpse as we fall to our, as we fall to our, as we fall to our knees before the altar. Every breath is a prayer given to whichever God is in charge of receiving and transmission.