sister mary appassionata lectures the eighth grade boys and girls on the nature of the candle: david citino

There are many instances during the Middle Ages of persons having a candle made, as a special devotion, of the same height or the same weight as themselves.
                 -Curiosities of Popular Customs

It stands to reason. Wax crafted by bees,
tallow of vegetable or beast rendered just hard enough
to stand, to support the flame that dances
dangerously before the slightest breath, wick
running the body's length, spinal cord
that makes all parts a whole, intelligence
warming whatever comes near, touch of love,
to dispel the sentence of night after night,
only need to be, but eating a hole
in the center, faith consuming flesh from the inside,
running toward the heart, a fuse,
utter dark biding its time under the tongue,
inside each tooth and bone, life drowning
in the rising tide of life, deadly depth
of every day, price we're made to pay
for our season of light, last breath
a hiss or sigh as sun floods windows
to bear the soul away, what's left of us lying
gutted, guttered, cold, scents
of our brief wisdom lingering in the room

Citino, David. "Sister Mary Appassionata Lectures the Eighth Grade Boys and Girls on the Nature of the Candle" Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry. David Impastato, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. 38-39.

the translation of raimundo luz: my farewell - scott cairns

Things are happening. Daily.
I come across new disturbances
in my routine. I am curiously
unsettled. I dress myself
and the clothes fall to the floor.
I scratch my head. Dust
in my hand. All morning
arranging flowers, and for what?
Petals fallen, litter
on the pretty cloth. I march
straightway to the mirror
and shake my fist. My hand
is a blue maraca scattering petals.
I shout my rage
and hear my words praising
the vast goodness of the world.
This is beyond control.

Even so, I am slowly learning one thing;
of one thing I am slowly becoming
aware: whether or not I would
have it so, whether I sleep
or no, I will be changed.
I am changing as we speak. Bless you all.
Suffer the children. Finished. Keep.

Hudgins, Andrew. "Christ as a Gardener" Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry. David Impastato, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. 36-37.

situation no. 33: the feast - david citino

You're told the ingredients
have been assembled: for the sake of love,
wine and bread, fennel, honey and leeks;
laurel and bay to represent
your political importance and way with words;
a sampling of fabulous beasts and birds.
Fruits and meats to symbolize labor;
salt, the apple and lamb.

You're told the entertainment
will consist of your slow dismemberment
to the pulse of bass drums,
the plodding cadence of Gregorian chant,
screams of your parents and children.

You're told it will hurt
like nothing else, but after it's over
your very best friends will take you
home with them and place you
on altars in the midst of music and yearning,
place you near fire, teach their children
to sing your name.

Do you accept?

Citino, Dave. "Situation No. 33: The Feast " Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry. David Impastato, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. 19.

april is national poetry month!

once again, i will be celebrating national poetry month with a poem (or a portion of a poem) each day.

some background info from the canadian league of poets:

History of National Poetry MonthEstablished in Canada in April 1999 by the League, National Poetry Month brings together schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, and poets across the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada’s culture. Communities and businesses participate through readings, festivals, book displays, and other events. 

The goal of National Poetry Month is to expand and educate poetry audiences, especially young audiences, and to increase the profile of poetry and poets, while boosting sales of Canadian poetry books. National Poetry Month has inspired an increase in reading, writing and teaching of Canadian poetry. National, provincial and regional media report on many National Poetry Month events, review poetry books and interview poets. 

To ensure that word of National Poetry Month is heard coast to coast, the LCP distributes posters to libraries, schools, universities, bookstores, festivals, literary organizations and League of Canadian Poets sponsored readings and performances across the country, and many more. 4,000 copies of the NPM poster are printed and distributed across the country.

stay tuned...

a birthday poem for my wife

let's begin with this:

i love you. & more -

some days i am breathless & 

astounded. yes; astounded.

vast distances sometime stretch us

& differences strengthen us

no more or less than our desire,

vision, hope. let this year be

lifted up as an offering, as an

invocation, as a promise.

entreaty. not begging. desparate

to catch our breath again.