Walk to Emmaus

by Rachel E. Hicks

But we had hoped 

this paper life

these shadow lands 

might be fleshed out

thickened into 

themselves

at the very least 

illumined by 

far-spaced 

signal fires 

we lean into the stranger

moist lion’s breath

now chilling 

now warming

small flame flares

open in the breast

we press mystery 

remain with us

dry loaf breaks

an instant’s light

our great desire 

vanishes

leaving us kindled

shalom rounder 

on our tongues

all that was hollow

now hallowed

telling & retelling

did not our hearts 

burn

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Rachel E. Hicks’s poems have appeared in numerous literary journals and have been finalists in several competitions. A Pushcart Prize nominee, she won the 2019 Briar Cliff Review Fiction Prize. She is editor of Among Worlds magazine, an associate editor at Del Sol Press, and a freelance copy editor.