1.

Neither had been invited but both were welcomed.

They spoke through wordless intuition, cool nods of

“Peace-Be-Still,” and, “As-Goes-Love-So-Goes-Life.”

Their quiet burned my brain with inklings of wonders

to come––as I set my table with what I had:

half of a cheese sandwich left over from a lucky day.

2.

From the eyes of one, my meager offering drew

liquid letters and symbols that splashed into goblets

until they overflowed with flavors of wine.

The second stranger laughed. As he howled, their

sorrow and their joy set my table anew—laid it heavy

with glazed yams, marinated dreams, and aromatic breads.

3.

Then their wings spread and revealed feathers painted with the names and words of poets known and unknown. Echoes of vows and prayers exploded

blinding songs of light.

By the time I could see again, my guests had gone.

I stared at the bountiful table they left, too stuffed

with awe, to feast on the generosity of their grace.

4.

A knock at the door made me think they’d returned.

It was instead an old grandfather, homeless, with three

children whose parents had been lost to war and disregard.

They had not been invited but all were welcomed.

I nodded through tears of wordless intuition:

“Peace-Be-Still,” and, “As-Goes-Love-So-Goes-Life.”

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