By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
TAKEN
Lashing out
of imperial robes
at Saint Paul’s pillar
where the founder of Christianity
was whipped by its father
Sun
striking me
with its scorpion tail
One soft drink
from heatstroke and Parousia
when, “A fisher of men,”
limped toward me
rattling small change in a paper cup
Maybe it was shade
erupting from “The Tree Of Idleness,”
that made me forget my thirst
or a splinter of cross
nailed into me at birth
Maybe it was the marble column
worn into a phallus
by hands of followers
that opened my palm
and offered up the cup
taken from me
Taken again
*Parousia: A word Saint Paul used referring to the second coming of Christ.
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
