In
the rugged splendour
that
is south-central Italia
Remnants
of warriors fierce
and
their battles fought
May
be heard echoing in the silence
that
is the non-blessing of priests
Who
deigned not visit areas
deemed
too remote for God
to
waste his precious time on
The
suffering of the poverty-stricken
who
by geographical misfortune
alone
were denied the grace
bestowed
by Roma
Lesser
tribes may have been cowed
by
such blatant disregard
but
centuries of chauvinistic
persecution
has not shaken
a
faith more solid than
some
of the marble idolatry
found
in other more ostentatious
places
of worship
It
is as if by not having had to deal
with
the intermediaries -
ambitious
priests, cardinals and such -
They
have met directly with
their
God and in so doing, their
beliefs
remained clear and strong.
S.E.Ingraham©
This is just beautiful, Sharon. Especially:
ReplyDelete"Remnants of warriors fierce
and their battles fought
May be heard echoing in the silence"
Very thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteBenjamin
Interesting, and full of images. I love the fourth stanza with its references to "ostentatious places of worship." I've seen a few of those. Beautiful write.
ReplyDelete"echoing in silence" ahhhhh classic S.E. Ingraham - who else could write that???? Stunning... and then the vivid mix of poetry,politics and papism... If ever I were to contemplate a joint blog you would certainly be top on my list of invitees!!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough not from a too remote environment, I find a deep echo of agreement with your words. When it comes to relationship with God/Divinity, I find the intermediaries too often get in the way because they are so absolutely convinced that no one can possibly see as clearly as they do. Never realizing that getting out from behind their shadow creates the clearest view of all. I really like this piece, what you have to say, and the manner in which you have said it. Brava!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/
This is a very powerful poem. I love the: "that is the non-blessing of priests /
ReplyDeleteWho deigned not visit areas /deemed too remote for God /to waste his precious time on" - very poignant.
Thanks for sharing!
I really like this. When not corrupted by anyone or organised religion, faith needs no name and also knows its own way of finding God.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fabulous read!
I like how the poem ends - grin - it follows my own beliefs: no in-betweens needed.
ReplyDeletethis is bitter, bitter, and so sweet. Indeed - hard to imagine the "men of God" who:
ReplyDeletedeigned not visit areas
deemed too remote for God
Superb lines, among many others! The ending is solid.
I do so enjoy your poetry, and this one is no exception.
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful lines in this, Sharon. The ending is powerful indeed.
ReplyDeletePamela
That we all should be allowed to believe as we wish without condemnation. I remember visiting Italy. And marveling at the Colosseum - sanctioned death is still death. A very enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my story. The Wordling community is one of my favorite places.
Just fabulous, Sharon. All the words and ideas were forged together seamlessly.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem. The "intermediaries" can be bad. However, there are good priests out there, and good solid parishes, too. Takes time to find them. I was discouraged by church quite a few times, but I would come back, because deep inside I always felt that it was about a particular priest, a particular place of worship, and I just needed to keep looking. I've been very fortunate to meet wonderful priests on my journey.
ReplyDelete