By Lawrence Hall

Word Count: 93

Rating: PG (Mild blood)

Summary: The Martyrdom of John the Baptist is described from an unusual source.

When the kitchen staff did the washing-up

They could not but notice, among the bowls

And serviettes, spoons, knives, pitchers, and plates,

One of the best silver trays, blotchy with blood

And scraps of vertebrae, ruining the shine

“Oh, bother; those stains will never come out,”

Muttered the old woman in charge of such things

But she scrubbed and polished, did a good job

With that and with each costly silver cup

When the kitchen staff did the washing-up