Circles and Lines

A ring of women 
Spontaneously gathered round 
Willing hands outstretched 
Gently pulling, untwisting, unbraiding 
Strands of gold, blue, brunette 
Tales of motherhood, neighborhood, sisterhood 
Spilling forth as a spring of fresh mountain waters 
Among friends and strangers soon-to-be-friends 
Gathered round to serve a sister 
Who needed 200 tiny braids unwound 
One Sabbath Eve 

A ring of men 
Circled round tradition 
Willing hands outstretched 
Bouncing babies 
Pronouncing blessings 
Bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost 
Extending lines of Priesthood power 
Down through the ages 

Though one, perhaps more formal, 
Has a name 
I doubt not for one moment 
The power of the other 
Also borne of eternity 
Nor do I doubt its source 
For I am healed 
empowered 
lifted 
merely by being witness