The Blessed Virgin of Oakland

 

Andrew McCarron

Originally published in The Evergreen Review Issue 115 in 2008.
 
So much of the time, I exaggerate.

The great is only good. The terrible,

Downplayed, or dropped from



The story altogether. And nothing—

Nothing is said about words exhausted

At the Sidewalk with Sam and Lois.



But sometimes, a soon-to-be-night sky

Descants itself into being much more

Than expected. To hear hope’s angel



Alone is one thing; but to witness

Them singing with you was almost

Too much: goat-ragged hills, lavender,



Hawks circling oaks, which rip up

To the sun—through whose columns

Finches fluttered, “My sister. My brother.”