poetry

Karen K. Adams
African Angelus

Heather Thompson
Alessandro's Ascent

Daniel Gibbons
Autumnal

Cristina Montes
The Edge of the Sea

Shannon Berry
Ephphetha, that is, Be Opened

Karen K. Adams
Little Hours

Rosemarie Monge
May Showers

Amos Hunt
Night Crossing

Sarah DeCorla-Souza
Ordinary Time

J.B. Toner
The Play Continues

J.B. Toner
To Whom Much is Given

Daniel Gibbons
Villain, Elle?

Back to Mary Queen of Angels 2006

To Whom Much Is Given
My gift?  My gift?  My burden, onus, cross,
 Spine-bending load, soul-chafing, grinding yoke,
 Bit, spur, leash, collar whereupon I choke,
The gain that means my ease and freedom's loss—
This gift of words, bequeathed I know not why:
 This keenest hound without a scent to track,
 This knight without a dragon to attack,
This arrow with no target but the sky.
Thou madest me a steward, but what for?
  A herald with no message to proclaim,
Shall I condemn, exult, blaspheme, adore,
  Spit, sing, scream, carol, cry, laud, lie, praise, blame,
Repudiate my powers forevermore—
  Or only murmur patiently Your name?

-J.B. Toner

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J.B. Toner is a graduate of the school of hard knocks.