Mystagogue Poem by Daniel Brick

Mystagogue

Rating: 5.0


I

I stand alone
I watch people I don't know
Incense replaces breath
Faith wraps me in a sudden appeal

II

The altar believes in fire
The fire believes in heaven
Heaven believes in God
God believes in prayer

III

There are twelve corridors
in the great stone tower.
There are twelve towers
in the great stone city.
There are twelve cities
on the great stone plateau.
There are twelve plateaus
against the great stone sky.

Monday, April 14, 2014
Topic(s) of this poem: myth
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
This poem is an evocation of the mythic world situated somewhere in human history. The word MYSTAGOGUE is a technical term for a priest who possesses special powers and knowledge. He is the one who conducts the ceremonies of the community. But often this figure is cut off from easy socializing with the rest of the people. His knowledge makes him almost an outsider in the community he serves.
I wanted this poem to have an IMPERSONAL quality, so that the mythic theme would be starkly and powerfully expressed. I am satisfied with the heaviness of the poem, the awkwardness of its language, the opaqueness of the mystagogue.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Bharati Nayak 23 November 2016

The altar believes in fire The fire believes in heaven Heaven believes in God God believes in prayer - - - - - - - - - - - - Loved it, - - the theme and language so powerfully expressed.

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Daniel Brick 24 November 2016

Thanks much Bharati, I wanted to write a poem expressing the most ancient religious commitment of humanity. Because despite the changes and advances in modern thought, which I applaud, we still have a basic religious need for a connection with something deeply spiritual, whether it be Krishna, Sky Father, Earth Goddess, Jesus, Apollo, etc. So many sacred names, all express our spiritual reality. I love this poem too, love is the right word for it.

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