Ethiopia carved out of red rock. Churches of Christ ravaged by drought. A veritable strong hold of famine. Gold wax dusting rainbows as cars rumble over inaccessible roads…

Living repositories of faith carved into a mountain to undulate twelve churches holding ritualistic aspirations…

(the chill of chanting swaying priests cloaked in antique finery as a drum beats out the footsteps of Jesus himself)

Solomon, Sheba, Emblems, Tablets, shine golden in the rising sun blessing the starving who pick seeds from the earth for Christmas dinner.

They are proud of their poor crosses bared stoically as their hungry eyes dream in fruitful trees.

Tongue in mouth.

Glory in misery.

Substance in shadows.