Raphael

Raphael

From all the thrones and dominions,

The powers and principalities,

One must come, a nation-guardian;

A healer to stir the cool waters

In Bethesda, House of Mercy,

From which the paralyzed man emerged

Renewed, through the central portico,

Blinking at the bright, ascending sun,

One contentious Sabbath morning.

Teach us, messenger, the prayer of Cordoba,

For the crown prince of demons,

Your old foe, is unbound-

Claw-footed, water-hater,

Lame devil, crowned cambion,

Slayer of our bride’s seven unfulfilled suitors-

While we wait forlorn at our wedding feast,

Our graves pre-dug on the edge of town,

Our father’s inheritance

Unclaimed.

Steve Lang

Steve Lang has published one collection of poetry to date, entitled, "'Heavenly Hurt” and his sonnet, “Hymn to Ninkasi” was recently published by “Grand Little Things”. Though from Scotland originally, he has travelled widely, especially in Africa, as an international school teacher. Steve currently lives in El Salvador with his wife and three children, where he is Director of a large and well-known international school.

Saint Raphael the Archangel by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Copyright but allowed under Fair Use provisions for the demonstration of art where no commercial venture is under consideration.