Ritual as Universal

One is seven, one is five,
So mommy stayed behind in the car.
Sneakered feet are tired now
On the dirt and needles, earth.

Not dashing in front anymore,
but staying close behind
and always on the lookout
for what might come ahead.

Switchbacks take us higher
to a breathless minor crest
Where it all arrests us --

River spilling through the valley
Silver ribbon in blankets green
Laudamus te

Wheeling hawk in sunlight shafts
Under clouds that billow and roll
Benedicamus te

Damp pine mist and dandelion
Redolent of a forgotten home
Adoramus te

Little queen and her upstart squire
A glimpse of their inheritance
Glorificamus te

Silence full of ancient days
Glorificamus te
Silence full of sanctus days
Glorificamus te
Sanctus full of sanctus days
Gratias agimus tibi
Sanctus sanctus sanctus

Someday
Quiet in a humming hospital sleep
Or loud in a spinning highway heap

We sing
Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus