Andrew McKnight

The names, faces and details have been blurred to protect the not-so-innocent.

I was a lilac
thief in Lincoln,
the church grounds
dark, deserted
just me
and God
and two noisy dogs
who obviously cried
wolf too often
for no one came
to the watch window
when the crime
occurred

A few quick snips
the biggest and bloomiest
bunches of Godwork,
soon ringed by the neck
of a small plastic bottle
the converted vase now
their new and final
home
to finish their
perfumy procession
once
and for all

There were no witnesses
just the Creator
and the appreciator
flung far from
lilac delights
of home
blessed such
for journey returning
guilty as charged
unrepenant
unscathed
uncaught

Amen