2020 Tapestries: Saint Francis University's literary and visual arts magazine

Artistic Integrity by Renee Angle 2nd Place Winner, Father Callan Poetry Contest When your poem burned, I wasn’t there; I was writing another one.

Your parchment was swept into unattended flames, Carried by capricious, uncertain breeze – I never dreamed, full of hunger, ill at ease, Unraveled; driven mad by buried shames – Hands ink-slathered, I ached as I labored, Too complacent to see that the story was done.

Quite content in unrest, Though my life’s work was done.

My happily ever after – but all foresight gone, Engrossed, I fitfully sought to write on; The Artist, bleeding; more anxiety than brawn – So I painted a beautiful sunset I’d dreamt With my back to a setting sun.

I had there a panorama beyond conception, But the catatonic blind seek a better one; In agony, striving, colors blend, false perceptions – Until the last filtered threads of the twilight had gone.

And so now, she stands hopeless in reckoning darkness, All her pretty self-deceptions winding swiftly undone…

Too late for her pinnacle; the fires have come, And they’ve long since languished, well ahead of the sun.

But then, the Artist opens filmed eyes and sees – (Alchemy…)

Enlightened, I perceive the path of absolution, With your poem reduced to black carbon ruin…

So now, I shall follow it into the embers; Immolating, white-hot, my body may be – but never again will the sun set on Me. 41