In a Row

In a row
a single science whispers
but speaks stories screaming bold
breathless as sunlight gleams
on the stones leaving shadows
staring tales and traditions.

In a row
standing naked over teeming streets
proud looking at God's sanctuary
there, a presence, a footprint
on a scarred beautiful battleground
owing to no-one, but to all shared.

In a row
an inward growing tree struggles
sprouting sour nectar whilst small
single noises weigh heavy on terra starved
pointing strokes of stemmed mistakes
on a canvas of best laid intentions.

In a row
bitter cold these seeds we sow
future sons and saints will smile and stand
with gifts and germs in either hand
forgotten souls lie in tombs we know
Familar failures of loved land we plough.