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Poem: “A Splendor”

A Splendor
For RS

Lou is 98
He sits beside a table with a top that shines and reflects

As you were standing there, he says, I saw a figure Tall, and in a robe, and
with a hood

But it was you, he laughs, in your reflection on the table top Only you and
no other

On the oratory seat he slumps as usual and sleeps Waking for the Blessed
Sacrament

He has missed the lessons, the sermon and the consecration No matter

For at the age of 98, he stands upon the border And the barrier is lowered

Each time he wants to step across, the frontier guards will say:
Enter, you are free to enter

And there he stands, between sleeping and waking While he decides

Once a friend saw Death, a tall dark figure in a robe and hood And the Pope
walking towards the Tiber

He walked towards the river on the morning of the visit With his tall
companion

The tall companion, silent, for no words are needed Only a guide

This world of ours the true reflection of the other Dimmer, less resolved

We are the images, and the figure in the hood, the robe Removes the hood,
and the robe

For he is welcome there, a resident, a splendor To be seen and recognized

Pavel
September 15, 2011


Pavel Chichikov is a Washington DC-based poet and photographer. He has written for both the secular and the Catholic press on issues as diverse as Russian nuclear weapons systems, Olympic athletes, and miracles. His books include From Here to Babylon: Poems by Pavel Chichikov,  Lion Sun: Poems by Pavel Chichikov, Mysteries and Stations in the Manner of Ignatius, and Animal Kingdom. Pavel may be heard reading his works on catholicradiointernational.com and on pavelreads.com. His poetry regularly appears on "The Poetry of Pavel Chichikov."