The Hallowed Tomb Of The Saints... {a Visit To The Catacombs 'neath The River Hudson}...[revision] Poem by Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr

The Hallowed Tomb Of The Saints... {a Visit To The Catacombs 'neath The River Hudson}...[revision]

Rating: 5.0


Visited the Tomb of the Saints last week
at the catacombs, 'neath the River, Hudson,
Cracked cobblestone... carves its gruff path,
outer walls wrapped in pea-green moss,
sharing its years with your swallow,
coating your lungs like the Takla Makan.

Yet, two-thousand years of ashened mire
ne're wavers curious minds from visiting-
canonized souls, within ancient walls,
cellared dampness that chills your marrow.
And, the warmest of days cool your blood and brow
centuries of Godliness standing like Stonehenge.

Take a step down inside its sacred womb,
touch the countless stoneheads one by one;
each crypt a storied tale beyond
its epitaph, not so legible now.
Tales of martyrdom, aberrations confirmed,
read the etchings carved with makeshift chisel;
remind yourself as to who they were
before they were carried to sleep here, now -
forever....in silent Sainthood.

The structure itself, wears a badge of discord
walled hieroglyphics still vaguely alive.
Saw the disfigured Cross of James The Lesser
So curved, it mirrored the twist of St. Bridget's -
wickered symbol of Golgathas Cross.
The chilled ambiance...eerily captive,
makes Grant's Tomb seem like Strawberry Fields.
Candles at night, only shadow them maze
of these sacred remains within caverned walls.

Walking back on the cobblestone path, I muse -
how faith, and sacrifice, still strike the heart.
And God....my lungs ached for seven days
from the lingering trace of must and moss
as if Heaven would deign it mystically clear,
that I'd soon not forget my visit, yet-
to the catacombs by the Hudson, deep.
And i'm going back someday
to revel in its holy echo, once again...<+>


© 2014-All rights reserved
Frank James Ryan Jr. / FjR


*Revised Aug.12th,2016
Reposted Aug.20th,2016

Saturday, August 20, 2016
Topic(s) of this poem: holy,new york,old,saint
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Robert Cardozza 20 August 2016

magnificence and detail perfection is all I can say

0 0 Reply
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Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr

Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr

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