as sundown slowly slips into darkness 
the queen    the bride   
velvet with stars  
descends her staircase   
welcomed with the breath of prayer . . .  
she is like the evening’s candle flame 
and like a moth  
we are drawn to her blessing and delight 
as we recite again, again, and again 
this is our home of anywhere 

Sister Lou Ella Hickman, I.W.B.S. is a former teacher and librarian whose writings has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies; Press 53 published her first book of poetry in 2015 entitled she: robed and wordless. She was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2017 and in 2020.