She took her Heart and placed it in a bottle
because it was reserved for only him.
She took her Soul and placed upon it a sign
that said 'occupado.'
All her going-out clothes she didn't need
she placed in moth balls,
gave some to her sister.
Her mother said
'What are you doing? '
She would always smile and say 'I won't be using these
until he returns.'
Her ring she placed in the sugar bowl
covering it with sweet sugar grains
putting it high
on a shelf that no one used.
She honey-dipped all her kisses
lining them up
in her Honey-Dew Kisses Pot.
Her friends said 'what are you doing-
he may never return.'
She said, 'oh yes he will and I will need these.'
She took everything,
wrapping them in her Faith Cloth
taking them out only at night
when no one was around.
Each glowed in that dark;
each drew Faith from the Faith Cloth
which covered her Hope Chest
which contained the photos, the ring
they hummed
all through her night.
He would come or he would not
but these gifts he'd already given
filled her heart
renewing it
underneath
the Faith Cloth
which warmed
her and her memories.
Lonnie Hicks
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-clothing-of-faith/
