Shopping with St. Theresa and the Cheshire Cat

And, now for a break from confessional prose.  Once in a while I find myself writing poetry or at least that's what I call it.  I found this poem in an old notebook.  Once in a while I'll come across an old bookmark with a picture like this one of St. Theresa.  We used to earn these in Catholic grade school for giving the "right" answer to a question.  One day these two things collided.

Shopping with St. Theresa and the Cheshire Cat

A halo doesn't match anything I own
Sainthood is something I have denied myself.
It is too expensive.
Sack cloth and ashes are the clothing of the masses.
I shop off the rack.

A splinter of sunlight pierces my reflection
in the fitting room mirror.
St. Theresa and the Cheshire Cat have come looking for a bargain.
We try on each other's shoes.
We wear wide smiles.
For a moment, we shop in heaven.
We see ourselves in each other's eyes as we say our goodbyes.

I forfeit my Cheshire grin.
I am not worthy to wear it.
I hug the memory--- a thousand shards of broken glass
cut my soul to ribbons.
I weep bloody tears.  I am todays clearance special