The Star She picked up the zucchini and belted out a ditty About living on a farm and singing a country tune. The girl with the microphone knew about foot long zucchinis and birds that say, “Bawk! Bawk!” as life’s refrain. “Bawk-Bawk! Bawk-Bawk! Bawk-Bawk!” She follows the clucking birds into the woods That invite her […]
Memorial O dragon, dragon, what tower do you build? A tower built in Babylon at which the worm is skilled, Skulls are of the walls of it, mortar made of bone, Who can know the plan of it? Only I alone War and hunger are my slaves, fire is my heart With which to melt […]
As Kingfishers Catch Fire As king fishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame; As tumbled over rim in roundy wells Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name; Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: Deals out that being indoors each one […]
The Wind at My Back I look for a path in the new fallen snow For it is night and not wise to travel Where am I going? I want to know As the wind at my back does show me It howls in the night like a wolf at the moon As it rushes […]
A Dead Astronomer (Father Perry, S.J.) Starry amorist, starward gone, Thou art–what thou didst gaze upon! Passed through thy golden garden’s bars, Thou seest the Gardener of the Stars. She, about whose moon-ed brows Seven stars make seven glows, Seven lights for seven woes; She, like thine own Galaxy, All lustres in one purity:- What […]
Listening for a Summer Song She peels late June Redhaven peaches on the porch. Juice bursts through tender, fuzzy skin Dripping into the bowl’s hungry mouth. Fruit flies swarm in the sweltering air at the knife’s approach. Another reason to peel outside, in the heat, she muses. She peels and she wonders, Alone but for […]
After Shots sonnet broken by real tragedy in the theater Again and again, we shoot strong words of blame, shaming God alone when things go wrong that we have done with little thought of our free will to pray for this sad day to be redeemed of sorrow, fears, and ills that seem unceasing. Yet […]
Gentle Tapping Inspired by 1Kings19:11-13, Mt 26:44 I heard a gentle tapping But maybe I was wrong. Soon I was distracted By a melancholy song. I felt a gentle breeze Mild, warm and meek. But I chose to ignore it And turned the other cheek. I saw a gentle smile On a stranger whom I […]
Times Go By Turns The lopped tree in time may grow again Most naked plants renew both fruit and flower The sorriest weight may find release of pain The driest soil suck in some moistening shower Times go by turns and chances change by course From foul to fair from better happ to worse The […]
And Even Shame They were drinking vodka And I heard one say: Stas, remember The prisoner we held began to plead: Let me die But we refused You will not perish when you wish But when we choose? He spoke and laughed. I saw him yesterday In that new world Where serpent death uncurls Downward […]
Carolina Carolina Blue exists, just not today Today a dusty blue blankets Carolina Carolina wrens still twitter in the woods Woods that welcome those seeking shelter Shelter from the heat or TV TV shows that fail to refresh the senses Senses dulled by overstimulation and heat Heat steaming off porches sprayed with water Water tepid […]
The Night Shift True account of actual events The night nurse quietly stood Observing the man in her care As he stared up at the ceiling. She wondered what he saw there. “What are you looking at, Larry?” Her penlight lit up the space. “It’s beautiful!” he exclaimed, A smile on his weathered face. Then […]
I’m Nobody! Who are you? I’m Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there’s a pair of us! Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know! How dreary – to be – Somebody! How public – like a Frog – To tell one’s name – the livelong June – To an admiring […]
Raging Crimson Waterfall Oh this twisting red river that saturates me Catapults me down in a mire of grime To sordid places I do not aspire to go Yet set out to so willingly Each time I want to do good My corrupted blood denies me[i] How wretched I am Who will rescue me?[ii] […]
By the Fireside I long to sit and write poems Warmed by a crackling fire I long to share With fellow poets, writers, and artists Drinking wine Listening to their readings- I have no fireside, And poets live far away The chores pile up I cook, wash, and sweep Though using a pen when I […]
An Awful Tempest Mashed the Air An awful tempest mashed the air, The clouds were gaunt and few; A black, as of a spectre’s cloak, Hid heaven and earth from view. The creatures chuckled on the roofs And whistled in the air, And shook their fists and gnashed their teeth, And swung their frenzied hair. […]
A Baby’s Cradle with No Baby in it A baby’s cradle with no baby in it, A baby’s grave where autumn leaves drop sere; The sweet soul gathered home to Paradise, The body waiting here. Christina Rossetti
Sunday Morning The cat looks at The world outside its window The grass looks good for stalking in For hiding till ready to pounce at dragonflies and mice Tall brown trunks with green tops that flutter Seem so delightful for climbing Flying feathered creatures and small furry scuttling things Look playful and maybe tasty too […]
Fermi’s Question Answered They’ve come. They’ve come. They’ve found us, Those Earth-devoted visitors from space Or somewhere off the world apart and luminous, It may be in a time not present here or anyplace Why don’t they come to Earth, descend? Our leaders, soldiers, dignitaries wait With florid ceremonial, agreeable intent And speeches of the […]
Cat in an Empty Apartment Die—you can’t do that to a cat. Since what can a cat do in an empty apartment? Climb the walls? Rub up against the furniture? Nothing seems different here but nothing is the same. Nothing’s been moved but there’s more space. And at nighttime no lamps are lit. Footsteps on […]
10,000 Arrows A river of 10,000 arrows Pierce the heads and breasts Of the children Who stumble In torrential rains… Modern men Become kings And forget their sons Men who Seal their gold In vaults of steel… Money can be a trap Gold can cover the eyes And death will take it all O Man See […]
Cheery Beggar Beyond Mágdalen and by the Bridge, on a place called there the Plain, In Summer, in a burst of summertime Following falls and falls of rain, When the air was sweet-and-sour of the flown fineflower of Those goldnails and their gaylinks that hang along a lime; The motion of that man’s heart is […]
Earendel is Here… éala éarendel engla beorhtast / ofer middangeard monnum sended – Cynewulf Earendel is here, But not where you might find him In Tolkien’s Silmarillion Nor in a barque or nao A jewel in the prow But in another sphere Earendel is here In orbit overhead Like meteors that streak their trails And […]
Boldly Speak our Bishops Inspired by Eph 6:10-17 Boldly speak our Bishops With unified conviction. Battling society’s illness Of secular affliction. Armed with Truth and Faith, Spirit-filled and Spirit-led Bishops guiding flocks through Rough waters lying ahead. Dare to stand for your faith! Catholic? Then let them know Your prayers and support are theirs And […]
