Presiding Higher than Priesthood

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

If you could be a purple pinion’s prayer,

What words and incantations would you sing,

What syllables would lift you into air

Beyond — where gray suits never find a wing?

If you could soar beyond Canaveral’s space

Above where even northern birds can fly

And be above migration’s purple place

Beyond the moon, would you be Saturn’s eye?

If you could be a chant-like clarity

Where saints would hover but have never been,

Where always Claire’s and Francis’ charity

Would send agape love to supervene —

Would lavender soul-vision lift you past

Your history of guilt to beauties vast?

© Phillip Whidden