The Sign of Justice

By Ryan Thomas

Under the steeple’s dust-laden warm light

Lies the world, captured in painted glass,
Showing the times and the trials of life
Enduring in ev’ry new age;
The stern comforts man knows are constantly present
Through the years and the nations of earth.

Light shines on the bread, Christ’s body and spirit,

Through the small peaceful dove does it pass,
And through the turbulent water of strife,
And the torn flag of war being waged,
Through riches, (a crown), and through fires of hell,
And the phoenix of change and rebirth,

Through the cross, lying empty, of painful redemption,

And a penitent sinner at mass.
But there the light halts; all the widows shine bright,
Save for one; no fears will it assuage.
For as darkly unlit as the others are light
Sleep the fair scales of justice and truth.