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.

10 Comments

  1. elegant and most beautiful poem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Helen...it’s a little dark I suppose but am so pleased you thought well of it!!

      Delete
  2. For all we know Heaven is dark and depends on the light of loving souls to make the place more suitable for a sacred community.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I am truly humbled by that, Candice...and I love the idea of being part of a “sacred community”!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Thank you, Sam...so pleased you liked it and took the trouble to comment

      Delete
  4. Deserves the nomination, indeed. A strong piece of Art in a troubled time. Better than whisky or coffee any day of the week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a Scot I may have to disagree about the whisky but so glad it spoke to you, Hedda!

      Delete
  5. This one is my favorite of the bunch. So many to choose from I do not envy the editors the task. S. Singh

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm really glad that this poem was nominated for Pushcart

    ReplyDelete
Previous Post Next Post