This poem is based on a vision of Teilhard de Chardin, described in “Christ in the World of Matter” in his book Hymn of the Universe. He was meditating in a church and looked at a painting of Christ. He had a dual experience of seeing all the elements of the painting as they actually were, and simultaneously, on top of them, a series of alterations and transformations.
A leap from one
edge suffuses
the painting ∡ A blaze under the gentle church
window light ∡ Body outlines melting
intact but merging
≬≬≬
Each part of the
painting cleanly defined
as always ∡ While the aureole
expanded to a planetary
atmosphere of rotating
synapses and neurons
The stitches in the clothing gleamed as if
sewn by angels diaphanies woven by
the order of matter ∡ Rays from the heart streamed through
the church the world the cosmos grouping
elements of the universe
Vibrating to the core of being
≬≬≬
The gentle divine eyes
full of pity ∡ flashing ∡ with quick aspects
passionate imperious
subduing seduction
virile
incomparably lofty the
powers racing
over
his face
All the glances that ever mirrored a human heart
≬≬≬
His presence diffused our entire existence
While he took upon himself all joy and pain
The totality of life
This poem was published in issue #4 of Ranger magazine in 2024.
Andy Oram
April 27, 2023