A Prayer

from clay are born great urns where
in design
barefoot maidens dance,
in serene timbre
circle upon circle
in etched unity.

from clay vessels fragrances rise,
crushed rose, lemon verbena,
mint and thyme,
these scents
hold aromatic
memories.

transposed upon porcelain
they wear
mortal costumes but
each dancer's life is,
outside the truth
of finite time.

in celadon glaze they dance away the star filled night,
circle upon circle
the moment is fluid grace,
each maiden's breath
a prayer.

(c)Elisabeth Arrington Cox          2010