Four Minus Three
By Shannon P. Laws
The sanctuary of four tulips
in a heavy glass jar
atop the round dining table
bathe in afternoon sun
Church is found in
the smallest folded places
Between petals
Between panes
A god does not determine
who lives or dies
It is the science of fate
The seat you sit in at three a.m.
when a moose moves out from the brush
Three bleed-out inside a crumpled-ball of car
while one
if asked by any nurse or doctor
could tell you
what the family
ate for dinner
yesterday
shannon p. laws 