Nature’s Holy Pews

Elizabeth N. Flores 

October 6, 2024

There is no church that welcomes us. 

But we discovered nature’s holy pews, 

a tree log and a plank resting on 

concrete blocks near Oso Bay. 

Each pew comfortably seats five. 

We reserve space for Rosa, a young mother, 

who gently drapes her colorful rebozo 

over her baby’s head to nurse 

as soon as the softest, earliest sounds 

of hunger are heard; and for Rosa’s mother, 

the strong and mighty Ida, 

who after her stroke must now use a cane, 

which she recently decorated with glitter, 

a bold show of acceptance. 

Four sit nearby on lawn chairs 

if they brought them, 

which at times are unsteady. 

Or on the ground which, 

depending on the season, 

can be hot and dry or cool and muddy. 

We take turns leading in prayer. 

After prayers, as we feast 

on homemade taquitos

and H-E-B empanadas, 

we watch birds fly and then land

in the bay in unison, almost choreographed, 

as if they are gracing us 

with a mid-morning performance. 

Our Sunday ritual works just fine. 

It softens the blow that there is 

no church that welcomes us. 

Elizabeth N. Flores, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, taught for over 40 years at Del Mar College and was the college’s first Mexican American Studies Program Coordinator. Her poems have appeared in the Texas Poetry Assignment, Corpus Christi Writers (2022 and 2023 editions) anthologies edited by William Mays, the Mays Publishing Literary Magazine, and the Windward Review.