 |
| Peace be upon you, O Mark, my Evangelist |
Touchable—my
boxes and
pictures
photographs
and
sun
throwing form
in
silhouette
of
departed
guests—not
the sort
to steal
and seal
in
fascination
with
death and the
potent
magic
of body
parts
(Saint
Mark dug up
for
Venice and
skin
scrapings or
thumbs
remaining)
I touch
your gift
I send
you Light
you give
me strength
Copyright © 2016 Susan L. Chast
Oh those wonderful remembrances of those who journeyed here before.....our own very special saints!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book Susan. Mark the stalwart friend of Jesus...
ReplyDeleteI touch your gift
ReplyDeleteI send you Light
you give me strength
Such beauty such awe in your lines..!
Powerfully expressed.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
The skin scrapings or thumbs remaining - is such a potent line in this magical box..i love the sense of containing special moments and people - as if when we open the box we can celebrate in them again and again
ReplyDeleteYikes, I had forgotten those skin scrapings. I have some blessed oil from St Joseph an elderly friend gave me.....supposed to have been burning in front of his statue with special powers. I LOVE "I send you Light. You give me strength.
ReplyDeleteAn untouched gift would impart neither strength nor light. Your poem reminds me to touch--and touch well--all that I receive.
ReplyDeleteLove those last lines. I don't know St. Mark, but he seems to influence your life. Nice.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI like to think of St. Mark as a servant youth that observed Jesus and the disciples and was impressed enough to write the first gospel to influence the whole world to this very day. Beautifully done Susan.
ReplyDeletemy favorite line "I send you light" yes, that is something we all need...
ReplyDeleteprecious words all, however my favourite lines are
ReplyDelete"I touch your gift
I send you Light
you give me strength"
Thanks for an extremely interesting prompt
much love...
Clever... with the reference to relics.Hmmm shades of Luther:) Now there's a priest we never made a saint LOL. Enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteGreat conjuring of a unique tradition and to tie it together.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much sun shine in your poetry.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. I have always recoiled at the thought of "holy relics," especially when body parts are involved! This dealt with the idea nicely. Thx for linking to the saints at Poets United! Amy
ReplyDeleteI love the way you close this piece and the image you open with. Interesting prompt indeed! Thank you, Susan!
ReplyDeleteVery nice... !Let their wisdom pass on too :)
ReplyDeleteA great tribute, Susan, and wonderfully expressed!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very apt comment on my post.
I shall be happy if you care to read my reply there:)
I send you Light
ReplyDeleteyou give me strength
There is salvation in these beautiful lines Susan! Great ending!
Hank
I think the marvellous thing about saints is their accessiblity and "touchability". A believer can touch a saint and be touched by his/her saintliness. And that's what effects positive change in a believer. Nice one, Susan.
ReplyDelete