Category Archives: Poetry

Poem co-written by myself and Bro. Anthony Zuba, OFM Cap. A year of Good Friday fears. A year of Holy Saturday tears. A year of recycled sorrow. Dare we imagine a different tomorrow? There is something about this Easter that feels close to the first Easter, when Mary of Magdala, heart wrung dry by doleContinue reading “Easter, Sunrise”

Layers of pink petals stack together like a miniature cake, Each inner layer higher than the last. The delicacy of the rose feeds my hungry soul. These sturdy flowers have outlasted the asters, mums, and sugar maples. Their ruddy and fuchsia complexions Warm my heart as I run in November. Even as November ends, rosesContinue reading “Alive”

I once saw a statue of a four-year old girl encased in glass untouched by loving hands, falling leaves, or friendly squirrels. Untouched by weather, she remained a perfect marble statue. Likewise, my loved ones live in glass display cases. Through computer screens, I see them. Through devices, I hear them. Through keyboard pads, weContinue reading “In Case of Emergency”

Friendship meets me in the parking lot. We wear the same shirts:VEGAN POWER 50K25k.Shirts from our race together. Friendship taught me that I was born to run. All he did was loan me a book: Born to Run. After reading it, I believed that I could run ultra-marathons. I started with that Vegan Power 25kContinue reading “The Dream of Friendship”

What word do I use to crack the screen and hold your hand? What’s the turn of phrase that will transport me to your tears? Which response – from the texting dropdown menu – offers a tissue? What’s the Zoom password for your laugh? You know, the one where your eyes crinkle as you doubleContinue reading “The Password Made Flesh”

Dear God, I don’t why sadness wraps itself like a blanket around my chilly heart. As temperatures dropped last night, and Matt stole the covers, I awoke to a coldness that I just could not shake. With icy fingers, I watched a video by Valerie Kaur, about loving ourselves, others, and our opponents. It movedContinue reading “An Election Day Prayer”

Every third of July, my family reunites on the shores of Conesus Lake. This year I couldn’t go.This year I had to make new friends. And so, Matt and I plunged into the woods for three days, carrying our home on our back. Walking on the wet, earthy floor,we dodged raindrops and also, salamanders: minusculeContinue reading “New Friends”

Friendship is like a fortune that can never fully be spent. Friendship is like an hour in the sunshine.The warmth outside us becomes the warmth within us. Friendship is anticipated laughter.And it is remembered kindness. Aging friendship is like a tree you get to see grow tall and full, as it stretches its arms to the sky and theContinue reading “Proverbs of Friendship”