in a room prepared
Harvey S. Mozolak

there this Thursday meal
he in the center
as he always was
and is
the lamb lying on the plate
of God at table
among reclining cushions
in their midst passing
over to each the cup and bread
amid the bowls of salted tears
and portions of sweet mortar
the stained  hard memories of captivity
the women wait for the dishes
and the freedom after their cleansing 
while the disciples stir knowing he will rise
to go as they often do
to the park of the olive grove
outside the wall
someone kicks the foot basin
and the water spills
reddening where Judas spilled his cup
in his hurried leaving
their soles track their steps in red
from the upper room
toward the lower places down across the Kidron
because he is still hungry
and they are not yet full
it was a meal more of signs
awaiting their posting