these pigeons

these pigeons
like
dark nuns on the steps
of a great
cathedral.
regal
in blue and grey,
the stripes
of feathered
cloth
along their breasts,
their wings.
fat with
what we throw
away.
how easy it is
for them to fly
to rise
above
these palaces where
we kneel
to confess,
where we ask
forgiveness and pray.