pareidolia

the face of Christ on a piece of toast
some plaster in Pittsburgh

 a pancake at the Cowgirl Cafe

on the Shroud of Turin

 looking as much like Charles Manson

or Che Guevara
as Jesus

Mother Mary appearing

 between hospital window panes
near Boston

 or a on a tree trunk

in Iowa

 religious Rorschachs 

only perceived by some

ridiculed by others

with a clearer vision

or none at all

camera ready

a few search for a sign

look for hope
in a bowl of corn flakes

most laugh at the phenomenon

this prophecy
 whose medium might be mold,
misty moisture or
burned bread

but others
not blinded
by impossibility
might see a miracle
dancing in their heads

Barry DeCarli

March 11, 2016

On Hammond Pond

©Barry DeCarli

Draft #11