By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
The Surfing Madonna
Our Lady of Encinitas
is sliding down the lip of a wave
on rails
Lotus sun
unfolding
Wind thrashed tunic
splashing
light
Palms pressing
misty beads into prayers
the fin of her hands
carving
blue glass
The angelic shoulders
of a migrant worker
balancing the virgin surfer
on a board shaped
by Eid’s moon
Halo
of Castilian Roses and stars
in her wake
Out of seaweed and trash
spills a childless Madonna
shot by security cameras
pleading immaculate ocean
Granted
a building permit
Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).
Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)
- Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
- Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
- Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018
