First Things RSS Feed - Jennifer Reeser

Matthew 10:42

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

St. Patron’s School depends on your support
To clothe the Native children, care for, feed,
And to provide affection of the sort
We understand all human beings need.

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In Rare Form

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Devotions
by timothy murphy
north dakota state, 192 pages, $24.95

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You’ve Raised a Missionary (for Max)

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

At Louis Armstrong Airport, Jason takes
My black-clad arm as we approach the gates
Where no Saint Peter stands as guard, and slakes
My cheerlessness. The Czech Republic waits.
My son—the one departing—jokes, and makes
Me laugh through tears. “You’ve raised a missionary,”
My husband says, and this despair abates.
Lord Jesus, on Your greater strength, I tarry.
How like Your fairer images he seems!
The blue eyes, blond hair past his ear in waves,
The goatee, like faint ash across his chin
Unshaved mid these evangelistic teams
Who long to raise Departures from their graves,
And save respected strangers from their sin.

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One Brother Suffers

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

(for my sons)

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Dynasties and Ducks

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Devoid of intellect and over-rated,
this topic breaks the barriers of sound—
an insubstantial episode created
to bring both left and right wings to the ground.

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Triolet

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Believing in the Eucharist,
My faith affirmed within the Host,
I welcome”with an upturned wrist,
Believing in the Eucharist”
These elements, to take amidst
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
Believing in the Eucharist,
My faith affirmed within the Host.

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Despair

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

She’s not the special one you thought
would need protection till the end.
She feeds on quarrel when it’s fraught
with rude clichés meant to offend.
You have conceived and borne a whore
who won’t defend you, on her bed.
Eve’s fruit”sweet juice and rancid core”
she leaves you, with a bobbing head,
to rot in barrelfuls of water
you’ll dump, as she sneaks off to play.
She is your one and only daughter,
who used to spread in every way
on nursery walls her tot’s manure.
And you will die, once she’s mature.

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For the Black Cat Encountering Consequences

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

As wild and callous as you are,
by rights
You should be banished outside to the ditch,
To pay your pen-ance in disturbing nights,
Expecting to be rescued by some witch
In morbid need of a familiar friend
With wicked eyes and automatic claws;
A master with few fineries to mend,
And less respect for civilizing laws.

And, child to Him who furnished flocks of quail
Until the sons of Israel grew sick,
Some part of me delights to countervail,
To see you suffer for your latest trick;
Some part which would enjoy your punishment,
But for those pleading eyes, when you repent.

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To a Lady Contemplating Mischief

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Encompassed at all corners by such fine
a cadre of companions, knights, and flags
as could be wished by any modern mistress
between her piles of trashy plastic bags,
take care you mind your station and your manners.
As hallowed as the doe or white-faced owl;
as basic as black-standard-bearing banners;
as crucial as the Cross and cleric’s cowl
are these to you, who have no other place
of peace except in syndicate of fairies,
etched-glass affections, unpretentious grace,
waxen, lit wicks, remorse, and pale Hail Marys.
Ignore the crass; observe”if there is need”
cats’ cradles, china, the Apostle’s Creed . . .

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