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Verbum

Document Type

Poetry Bend

Abstract

Contains excerpts from Fr. Michael Costanzo's poetry book Water Lilies: "Whirlwind, Section 1, No. 2," "No. 5," "Desolation the Queen," "No. 11 Rita," and "No. 9 Horizon."

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

Anyone who had the pleasure of conversing with Fr. Michael, either over coffee in his office or at the various little cafes he favored, knew him to be a very complicated man. My favorite conversations were about his love for opera (for which I remain only a neophyte) and his poetry. Ultimately, our talks led him to give me the privilege of writing the forward to his collection of poems Water Lilies. This is what I best remember of Fr. Michael and can think of no better tribute to him than to examine the complexity of his thoughts found in this particular work. Written over three decades, do not be tempted to see the change in voice as an evolution of spirit, his reflections changing with age. It is, rather, much like his beloved opera -- images of life filled with joy, despair, hope, and redemption.

First Page

38

Last Page

42

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