Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

[joel]

With horns approaching horizontal planes
to earth and turned upon themselves like sin—
like blinders set and bound around its eyes—
its castrated and nonetheless immense
and monumental form was gently homed
from field to pasture, wrapped in leather straps
which must have once been something of an ox
but now were used as guards and guides when locks
of oxbows fell in workers’ yokes. Its taps
and tired hooves were steady; and it roamed
as it was led. It hadn’t a defense,
but had to be defended—and surprise
of all surprises, this is what had been
its greatest hope in all that life ordains.

[Michael]

Touching piece.

Reminds me a bit of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, which, of course, doesn’t take place anywhere near a real jungle.

this is what had been
its greatest hope in all that life ordains.

I’m not sure if this is satire, but it seems like the best for which the beast could hope. Either that or sanctus victus.

wrapped in leather straps
which must have once been something of an ox
but now were used as guards and guides when locks
of oxbows fell in workers’ yokes.

In my humble opinion, in these lines lies the strength of this poetry.

To friendship,
Michael

[joel]

To friendship! Thanks, Michael

[happytrails]

Joel, I think that I will need to read this one several times, too. It is always worth the time it takes to absorb your poems. So I will come back to it as often as I need to. And then I will be able to give an honest response.

[dadio]

I shall not rest until I have read all that I can of your poetry. This is going to be one of my favourites.


It hadn’t a defense,
but had to be defended—and surprise
of all surprises, this is what had been
its greatest hope in all that life ordains.
( fine words)