Cheerios

I am glad to attend a church where Cheerios are allowed, and the holiness of even small children is honored.

After Communion

There were three Cheerios left on the carpet

In front of the altar rail.

We sat in the front row,

Watched the children.

Three Cheerios left behind,

With no identifying information.

Now I think of Hansel and Gretel

Strewing bread crumbs

In the woods,

The birds that ate

Every single one.

Three Cheerios were left behind.

We picked them up.

There are other traces of children.

The picture of

The carefully held and folded hands

Of one small blonde child;

The one year old who could not decide

Whether the wafer held enough

Interest, and her mother,

Who watched.

Her mother told me the Cheerios belonged

To someone else this morning,

But she knew Cheerios.

When they clean the car,

Lift the floormats,

The carpet is layered

In Cheerios.

This morning

There were only three Cheerios

Left behind.

No birds.

We picked them up

Instead.