sketch by Benjamin Latrobe, architect
LIGHT DOWRY
On this day, 200 years ago
Benjamin Latrobe won
the municipal commission
for the bell tower in New O. –
St. Louis Cathedral, surfing delta
gumbo (French-Indian-
Spanish-Anglo-American)
on canoe-back of turtle-flotilla.
Oak Apple Day, Restoration Day,
Rhode Island Statehood Day
& many another day
no doubt (not far from Whitsunday).
In the well of the king, of the king who must die
(before time began?) shone
a shade of green pine
grieving... like an old Irish eye.
Luminous melancholy, just a shade
from joy – from the well
of well-being, when all
shall be well (amid all things well-made).
When frost of fright-scorn, the old
icehouse of sacred king
slides into melt... & everything
shines in right splendor of childhood;
when young ones in Rhode Island
or New Orleans lift themselves
to the light dowry of El
Shaddai – her pact of love and understand.
5.29.19
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