|
POETRY
On the Road
We are always somewhere on the road to
Emmaus, heads bowed against the sting of wind-whipped sand. Concerned
with making miles before the end of day we do not always hear the
summons sent to us. What does it mean to realize resurrection from the
dead? The answer is never all that clear and the road makes so many
twists and turns through Gaza, Guatemala, Colombia, Rwanda, Israel and
Sudan. All we really know is that we must follow where it leads and
only stop to make repairs along the way until we meet once again in
Galilee.
-- Clarence. C. Kean Portsmouth, N.H.
October in Emmitsburg
Sun backlights the gold trees. Suddenly they jump
up, out of the dark at the end of daylight saving time. Moon rides
the sky, hovering over the mountain.
Its inner trickery to
love the fall.
-- Sr. Anne Higgins, DC Emmitsburg, Md.
To Whirl or not to Whirl
Shivering like a whirlabout in a light wind, she
cowers in the cold corridor, in double hospital gowns, one secured in
back, the other in front, contemplating passersby, who dont see
her, talk while they walk. Not watching their feet. Not heeding their
power.
Oh ye of easy gait, she chides, be conscious, give
praise to your gastrocnemii, sing hosannas to your knees, acclaim your
rolling hips, applaud your ankles, clever joints that link your feet
and legs. Shout to the Lord in gratitude because you can arise and
walk, click your heels, and whirl about.
-- Margery Frisbie Arlington Heights, Ill.
Abundance
The old farmhouse waits, with lilacs and iris
blooming, for the grievers to arrive --
The mothers, the brothers,
the sisters, the fathers, the children -- the large, aching body of
humanity --
the train of black and blue travelers, from
Tennessee and Rome, Italy.
The cobwebs are swept, the dishes are
done, the beds are made, the curtains drawn --
The sun is shining,
the grass is long -- uncut, and ugly-beautiful, with yellow
dandelions.
Profuse abundance of light and dark.
-- Julie Geiger Everest, Kan.
Poems should be previously unpublished and limited to about 50
lines and preferably typed. Please send poems to NCR POETRY, 115 E.
Armour Blvd., Kansas City MO 64111-1203. Or via e-mail to
poetry@natcath.org or fax (816) 968-2280. Please include your street
address, city, state, zip and daytime telephone number. NCR offers a
small payment for poems we publish, so please include your Social Security
number.
National Catholic Reporter, November 15,
2002
|
|