By The Patient "Pichincha" by Frederic Edwin Church, 1867 Cradling our head in her ancient arms, our mother sings us a final lullaby. The dark melody extends from the depths of the forest And the animals of the earth sway with a virginal serenity. At peace with her nature and at peace with the world, … Continue reading Eulogy for a New Age

By Christian Mack "Orpheus Charming the Animals" by Peregrino da Cesena, 1490-1510 I.The heart sings a song of black diamonds— Beauty, nature-crafted, ephemeral, barely lingering— Onyx rose, glinting obsidian thorns; and Orpheus twirling among the petals, twirling in crimson, twirling in shade, rapturous vertigo, Grace-- how has she come to be so sharp? And how … Continue reading Three Poems from a Chicago Winter

By Mike Laganella "Untitled (Black and Gray)" by Mark Rothko, 1969-70. (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc., 1986) The night outsideVast and voidCannot break into this room.The lightThat shinesAnd shows my face to you Keeps him at bay.And though the reflections play Upon the glassAnd show the one the … Continue reading The Night Awaiting

By TD "The Arrival" by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson, c. 1913 From side to side || behind us he is weaving Soaring on high || but his wings barely moving Back down on earth || on our small tub ungraceful Cold sprays smash us || each gust gifting a face-full Over the rail || and … Continue reading The Albatross

By Christian Mack "Hoarfrost" by Théodore Rousseau, 1845 The sky’s gone quiet— the angels are dead.Elysian fields a mass grave, ethereal.No longer do I hearheaven’s chiming.Glittering choir,Fill this silent night,for no barebeating heartcan fill the silence— a murmur in the expanse— My god, My godSuch silence…

By Adrian Frey "General George Washington Resigning His Commission" by John Trumbull, 1824 The old general had marched his last march; Is any general bitter of the glory They receive? A sabre dropping on a table The brother of all our inward looking death There is no such thing as glory, it is Interred with … Continue reading Washington Resigning his Commission

By Adrian Frey "Aqueduct in Ruins" by Hubert Robert, 1750 A tiger fang deadly woman's shadow affixed in the doorway Dropping shield, sword and helm Mixing memory and desire, Mending sacrifice. Out that way is a garden Storing a naked statue of Pallas with a veil of weeping trees A blanket of ash covers the … Continue reading A Portrait for Kate Ludington