the paper wars

were lost before
the thought of what
it meant to win

had settled on
the land like dust.

The paper wars
regarded then
were cold and thin

and garlanded
the world around

with simple chains
which were not yet
unbreakable.

constantine

A vision of a vision came to me
As shadow from an upper window caught
In folds of gold embroidered drapery

Is thrown back on itself: a feeling not
Unlike the sudden subtle certainty
On waking of a dream’s receding thought

marble mattress

The upholstery is everything
that one could pay for. Above all
it is revealing — of his cheek,
his neck, his breast. His other thing.

The Grecians, as the Cardinal
will tell you, were less rigid in
their definitions. Every tall
and pale unshaven man was called

a Gaul. Desire was no sin
but a compliment paid by the gods
to those whose services pleased them,
and to their relatives. For him

to not admire this well wrought
embodiment of pleasant youth
asleep and confident, to not
so flatter beauty, would be wrong.

Would not, if I may tell the truth,
pay near so well as has this large
stone cushion which (it is best viewed
at a distance) has become a new

attraction in itself. There are
no sculptures that requite one’s touch.
But some, like mine, like him, are carved
deceivingly: though cold and hard

beneath the human hand and much
too still to be supposed alive,
they look more real than God. Near such
one feels that one is being watched

by sleeping marble lidded eyes,
whatever other men might think,
that if awoken in the night
would see us in a better light.

teresa

A little privacy?
I cannot concentrate
on God with you watching

me. And obviously
I will write down later
all the interesting

details so young ladies
who wish to imitate
my example and see
the Lord God face-to-face
may do so properly

by work and poverty
obediance patience
and a well-becoming

unselfish chastity.
O this? You see I take
not one single earthly

pleasure from this, only
I enjoy the greatest
religious ecstacy,
for which you must behave
better than you believe

david

I have seen that look before.
At the writing-table, and
in bed. After hours of
practice. When I ask you why
you are angry and you say
that you aren’t, only just
trying to concentrate on —

On something. Once, you gathered
a newborn lamb in your arms
and quieted it with a
glance. Looked up, bit your lip to
look fierce and said, now I will
be serious enough for
the both of us, never fear.

daniel

What more could Daniel ask you for?
Bernini stretches him in prayer
While in the alcove just behind
Him, tame, the lion licks his heel.