memory wins

i should
pull off sweet mask and
massage deformed,callous
face into something
actually sweet,

return to
festivals,last night,
when ruby woke up and
we looked at
each other's faces,
she was telling me that
there is hope
for everything,

she can squeak or
coo,but i like
when her silent eyes
wander in the
direction of abba anthony
icon on the wall,
surely she can't make
out his
bearded face,his
dark cloak,his
scroll with wisdom,
his hands that
prayed in the
presence of the Enemy,
but,
bless her if she
sees only forms,and
colors,and
does not judge,

ruby and anthony,
here are
teachers within our midst,

i pray to understand
each moment,a
fresh start,