The Abbot of Gethsemani Prays for the Neophyte

The Abbot of Gethsemani Prays for the Neophyte There were bees about today as I came Across St. Joseph’s field, May sun teeming. On the bench under the statue of St. Joseph, Someone has penciled a dirty word underscored Along side two figures, one man, one woman. Near the abbey gate, a young man, ripe With strength, face not yet sad about the eyes, Shakes another man’s hand, embraces a thin woman. They turn to their car and start home together. I remember the sudden awful agony of Laocoön, The sweetness of Augustine’s mother, the golden Hair of Christ to Whom I pray: give us wings And airy bodies, give us age, faith, a soft kind Of death, the mystery we live to enter into. ß Daniel Sundahl Author biography Daniel James Sundahl is Professor Emeritus in American Studies and English at Hillsdale College where he has taught for 32 years. ‘‘The Abbott of Gethsemani . . .’’ is his second poem published in Christianity & Literature. Poetry 371 ...