© 2008 -- 2011 the Grandpa at The Word Mechanic. All rights reserved.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

In a New York Gallery

“I take it then there’s nothing here for you
That suits your present tastes. Again I can
Tell you this man does bronze as fine as Rodin
At his best. And his stone, you’ll note the true
Lines of the Manhattan David, would do
For Michaelangelo. But I understand.
You want to see him make some piece of a man’s
Soul not yet encountered. The perfect statue.”

I would like to see Eve, ten months before
She eats the apple, and Adam embraced
In one glorious coming of the human race
On love’s unloathsome bed at Eden’s core.

Tremoring lips and limbs where perfection lay.
The immortal climax of innocent play.


Originally published in Pivot, No. 54. Summer 2002
© copyright 2004, 2008 the Grandpa at The Word Mechanic Blog
All rights reserved

12 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful piece of work you've got here, Mister. Today, you've certainly more than earned your "Word Mechanic" title--in fact I think you may have just graduated to "Word Master" in my book. Have a wonderful day. :)

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  2. Angie, thank you. You've just made my day for me.

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  3. This moving reflection rends the very heart of humanity, indeed, I do mourn the loss of our innocence.

    Still, there is a consolation, a part of an ancient prayer; “O happy fault, 
 O necessary sin of Adam, 
which gained for us so great a Redeemer! 
”

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  4. Wow Grandpa. That was amazing. I thought it was fantastic and then reread it several times before realising it was your very own piece of work. I would like to see more .....I agree with Angie you are way more than a Word Mechanic (thats just one side of your talents on the editing front). What about your artistry and creativity?

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  5. Absolutely beautiful! I saw the Rodin exhibit in Akron when it came through a few years back. It was all I could do to restrain myself from reaching out to feel the exquisite cold bronze.

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  6. Thanks, Marty. Your comment made me do some digging to freshen my memory about felix culpa. It came, I believe, from Aquinas, and has been the center of much theological debate.

    Thanks, Lilly. I edit for pragmatic reasons. Poetry is a passion.

    "the exquisite cold bronze" I can't think of a better way to describe the pieces of Rodin's work I've seen. Thanks, Willow.

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  7. Grandpa, Word God is more like it :) That was sensational...I love the Adam/Eve part...love it. And I'm with Lilly...more please :)

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  8. What an incredible poem, from beginning to end. You certainly have a way with the written word. I enjoyed reading it tremendously. Thank you.

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  9. Thank you, Braja, but my god don't you think "god" is a little extreme? But you are the yogi, though, right? ;0) Seriously, thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying the poems, and I will post more, I promise.

    Denise, Thanks. It's good to have my work appreciated.

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  10. Hey Grandpa, I live in the country that worships 33 million demigods. I reckon there's a place for you :)

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  11. Wonderful. I enjoy your poems, Grandpa.

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