the novices practice forgiveness

a rocking slow motion 

of camel gait takes us forward

through baleful dusk that thickens

into plainchant as we approach

descending into earth

we navigate anthems of the soil

and the black songs of bedrock

pound rough in our hearts

when we rise through folding light

we are cedarwood unveiled

beloved strangers in red gowns

run to meet us, singing

Nic Sebastian's work has appeared in Anti-, MiPOesias, Salt River Review, Valparaiso Poetry Review, Mannequin Envy, Avatar Review and elsewhere. She blogs at Very Like A Whale and Voice Alpha. She founded and voiced the now-archived audio poetry journal Whale Sound and is a co-founder of The Poetry Storehouse.