I had never thought of my
home communion kit
as “equipment” before
until the man
who had retired
from a career
as a factory maintenance worker
asked for that
when I came to his bedside.
“Well, sure, if you brought the equipment”
he whispered
instinctively
foreman-like
as if it were a toolbox
or something that
repaired things
and prepared them to serve again
these untarnished wares
may look sacred
may hold precious treasure
may shine when polished
like the sunbeams of heaven
but he asked well:
only when they hold
certain grace
do they ever get to be
equipment
Said Another Way 