Canticle
By Patrick T. Reardon
.
Water-splashed forehead.
Product of times.
Cheek slapped, new name, chrism.
Child of century.
Sign of.
.
Communion of saints.
Myrrh burial.
Finger ringed.
Deathly afraid.
Rolling frenzy.
.
Praying the uncertainties.
Intoning the mysteries.
Chanting the doubts.
.
Frankincense body.
All the days of my life.
Lips oiled.
Reliquary of gold.
Field lily.
.
Soil son. Sky daughter.
With you always.
Fodder.
Tonsure.
Kill the fatted.
Defend, do justice, deliver.
Derangement.
.
Empty of urge for logic.
.
Wafer tongue.
Sin into words.
Breath into words.
.
Immutable trumpet whisper.
Wood sags like child resigned.
Great Wall. Great Amen.
Table of sinners.
Lift up your hearts.
.
Breathing.
Be.
.
Patrick T. Reardon
12.20.22
This poem was originally published by Amethyst Review on 12.4.22.
Written by : Patrick T. Reardon
For more than three decades Patrick T. Reardon was an urban affairs writer, a feature writer, a columnist, and an editor for the Chicago Tribune. In 2000 he was one of a team of 50 staff members who won a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting. Now a freelance writer and poet, he has contributed chapters to several books and is the author of Faith Stripped to Its Essence. His website is https://patricktreardon.com/.