They looked at each other
and kissed each other’s cheeks.
Peace be with you.
Their eyes were beaming with love.
His hand wrapped around the other man’s waist
as they sang the hymn.
Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
The mother caught her son staring at them.
Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
She gently tugged her son closer to her.
She kissed him on his forehead
and whispered,
Isn’t love a beautiful thing?
He nodded and joined the chorus.
Lamb of God, grant us peace.
The air in the cathedral felt cool.
The angels carved on the ceiling
finally free.
The saints praising His glory.
And him, crucified with his own cross,
was relieved from agony.
The mother wiped his son’s swelling eyes
as he sniffled and kissed his mother’s cheek.
To love is never a sin, his mother said.
John Gilford A. Doquila is a graduate of the BA English (Creative Writing) program of UP Mindanao. Presently, he’s teaching in one of the IB World schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.