JOSEPH FARINA

★ ★ ★ ★

POETRY

Image by Corina Rainer

epiphany under polaris

he calls late on a thursday night
after pleasantries of
our children’s accomplishments
social attainments in high circles
he tells me in reverenced voice
the blizzard he witnessed
details of its swiftness
the dramatic change of everything around him
he sensed his sister’s spirit
swirling in the snow calling
its then i know
he called to witness his epiphany

he began with snow, wind, barren trees
a solitude among the wind shear roar
metaphors of wolves, angels
legendary gods of power,
pluto and polaris, paradise
ending his vision, silence,
hung cold between us,
shadow and light converged
with death and birth
no longer abstractions.
knowing that of all his friends
i would be the one that would understand

invocation

sitting in the rare warm sun
of a cold October day
I released my soul to soar
on thermals blessed with wonder
searching for lost spirits
near the ocean I once crossed

I strained to invoke spells
that could cross closed corridors
into the great beyond
on this eve of ognisanti
to relive our inspiration

your muse again inside my head
I took my pen to write instead
these words to you
not as poetry, but as prayer

daring of spirits

outstretched hand cups the white, the red and yellow pills, the daily fortification taken for what
few hours they may apply themselves to project a shadow of health, pharmaceutical promises
that delay not reverse the hold of icy tendrils rooting under the skin. movements
measured, voice clear, understanding the world under incandescent lights, sun fire warmth on
skin, golden autumn wet scents on cold breezes only a remembrance, gods gifts given
reclaimed, the bloomed seed withering, imperceptibly the common malevolence all are heir to
quiets even the unknown waiting terrors, the soul stretches silently outward waiting for its long
promised transmutation