POETRY

Upon This Rock

For Pope Francis

medium format film image by author

St. Peter’s bones, reposing
beneath walls of stone
and a mighty dome imposing
order to an extraordinary flock
– normally reposing,
but rattling today
while his chair sits empty

The news rousting
us all from the joy of a stone rolled away
a new day, a new time breaking open
as beyond ordinary as ever
as challenging now as then

The rock stands firm
the unbreakable chain remaining
strong while we all offer a requiem
and wait with hopeful breath
in memoriam
for the next hand to take hold
of the sacred keys

May he rest in peace!