Holy Spirit
By Patrick T. Reardon
.
Holy Spirit (in caps),
aka Holy Ghost, aka Paraclete.
.
With Father and Jesus = Trinity.
.
In art, dove,
like the one that left the ark,
came back with green twig,
like dove over the Jordan
and the water over the Son.
.
The beloved’s eyes in Song of Songs
were doves.
Before wolves, “innocent as doves.”
.
Dove = peace.
Not eagle, warrior of the air.
No meek sparrow.
.
Aka Giver of Life, Breath of Life,
Wisdom and Understanding.
.
For Father, think Cosmos, all Nature,
Big Bang to atomic geography, overarching.
.
For Jesus, a guy you could meet.
.
Holy Spirit = sweet inspiration.
.
Dove = flight,
a flittering, ignoring gravity, riding breezes,
always whispering,
the still, small voice, the gentle breathing,
the soft itch of silence that Elijah heard.
.
Aka Comforter.
.
Dove = insight,
wonder of surprise.
.
Dove, sometimes called she.
.
Patrick T. Reardon
5.3.22
.
This poem was originally published by Calla Press on 4.1.22.
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/.
