The Theologian Of Assurano Poem by Daniel Brick

People say when our theologian
Lysander speaks no one can think
other thoughts. He raises us all
to a region of awe. His words spill
over the lectern or pulpit
into our rapt hearing, and we see
his images in our minds covered
with a silver light. I have witnessed
that silver light in my neighbors' eyes
and they in mine. We are aware of
this glowing for hours afterwards.
The next day we have sweet memories
of it, but cannot find anything
to match in sunlight or even starlight.
I try to recapture the illumination
by reading Thomas Aquinas. It helps.
Lysander himself and others have
lectured on this issue. It doesn't help.
But one thing is abundantly clear to us:
Lysander can do more moral good with his words
than most of our leaders do with their whole lives.

This is the part that puzzles me:
Lysander never looks happy. Never.
Not with his adoring students, not
with his fellow theologians, and
most dismaying, not with the average
citizen whose life he has so enriched.

Lysander usually stands apart, he does not
look approachable, but people of all ages
seek him out for personal advice, which
he gives graciously but not smilingly.
His students revere him but admit they know
nothing about Lysander the man, the possible friend.
They only know the charismatic professor.
And ordinary people, who have no theology
or book learning, still honor him for bringing
prestige to the Assurano University, for bringing
people into our city, who come for his lecture
but stay and buy our food and hospitality.
Are we not meant to show joy and thanksgiving?
Why does Lysander remain so remote and unaffected?
Sometimes it makes me question my joy... And,
I hesitate to say this, the glorious silver light.
Oh, why must happiness be vexed with doubt?
Lysander, your smile would release us from this doubt.