The Gospel According to Stained Glass

Plates of color bound by twists of metal—
Illustrated religion for those who cannot read
The plastic signs on Interstate 40
Announcing potluck dinners and that JESUS SAVES.

Ten feet tall, no one imagines measuring up,
Because they can’t—sinners and saints alike,
All in their pale or pretty garb,
No intensity so rich it fills a window
And stuns the parishioner
into wonder and silence.

The whore with her crown of beauty let down at her Lord’s feet,
The Rock upon which He built His church, even after three denials,
And the real first communion—with a traitor present and accounted for.
They are easily understood lessons, when they are told with Blue,
Green and Vermilion Orange.

We understand color, we understand stains.

So God bless the sinner and the stunned parishioner, him too—
No wonder it’s called Stained Glass.
Only the stained understand.