Introibo ad altare Dei.

Without thinking, the words form on my lips

As I cross a ridge and first see the mesa below.

I will go unto the altar of God.

Am I to make a sacrifice on the altar,

Or am I to be sacrificed?  Yes

And yes.

 

Colonial Jesuits build a chapel

At the edge of a mesa, near an Acoma

Pueblo.   This is sacred space, they

Declared.  The Acoma laughed.  This

Is sacred space, they said, arms spread,

Indicating mesa, valley, and sky.