"the bread of life..."

a crusty loaf of heavy bread
stoneground grains that sift between
his fingers like water through
the locks of a dam....

each ingredient a simple, sacred offering
flour, salt, water, millet, flaxseed, yeast...
a leavened loaf to feed his own family..

the sweet scent of rising dough from
heated stones within the fire's belly
calls to them in a voice that satisfies

but first, they will climb the hill to hear the
message of the teacher..the one they are all talking about...
the one who speaks of love, of giving, of service to
others, of blessing one's neighbor before
one's self, of loving your enemies....

the father's hidden loaf sings from beneath his robe
a scent that promises to fill his children with bread,
but the Master's bread offers something more...
a sense of purpose...a selfless loves that satisfies
the greater hunger...the longing to give, to be generous,
to be something more than they have ever been before...

and when the basket is passed, instead of taking from
the boy's meager fare, each father reaches beneath his robe
and pulls from its hiding place his loaf to share
and this bread of life...the life that is love...
fills the basket
and all are fed...