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Votive

From the November 2018 Print Edition

Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal.Between the crypt and dark magmatic rockof the mountain’s flank, along a blue-domed hallone hundred four feet long, I slowly walk.Ex-votos hanging on the chapel wall—canes and crutches—testify en blocto gratitude and grace. This same motifrepeats in . . . . Continue Reading »

When

From the October 2013 Print Edition

For man also knoweth not his time. (Ecclesiastes) the silver cord the broken lamp the overboard the firedamp the golden bowl the unbeknown the grassy knoll the chicken bone the shivered wheel the shattered jar the broken keel the cattle car the poor, the rich the swift, the slack the fool, the . . . . Continue Reading »

Eleven

From the February 2011 Print Edition

players on a soccer team stars in Joseph’s second dream odd reversible and prime dimensions (counting space and time) pipers piping salt (Na) month day hour Veteran’s Day goat’s hair curtains ripped apart ounce-weight of the human heart twelve less Judas David’s men pearls and . . . . Continue Reading »

Kyrielle

From the June/July 2007 Print Edition

For moments when they questioned me and I replied indifferently, or wished I’d practiced birth control, may God have mercy on my soul. For little mouths washed out with soap, for loss of patience, faith, and hope, for all the times I botched my role, may God have mercy on my soul. For bad . . . . Continue Reading »