Sinagogue of Atonement

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

Brandon Jovanovich (2007 Winner) – Winterstürme

We all desire a perfect player of

Romantic kisses, lips that make the flames

Of passion’s sacredness . . . where tongues mean love,

That love which no Antarctic iceberg tames.

We  want a heldentenor at the height

Of holy singing, sounds of songing gold,

As golden as euphonium of mouth, bright

But mellow, warm the tongue, forever bold;

La Stupenda of sopranos, diva made

Of softest flesh and spit, of trills, roulades

And leaping octaves, thrilling like a blade —

Bring beauty holier than monks in Lauds.

  We need a prodigy like Mozart in

    The Sistine’s sphere — obliterating sin.

~ Phillip Whidden