An ecstatic poem for

troubled times.

What else
but to celebrate God ——— to “nourish the mystery”
to climb the never-ending mountain
while ringing our
tambourines

what else but to make music of
our chains
and promise each other
we are free?

What is chaos
in perfect balance
& harmony

if not peace?

Painting above is of Felice della Rovere (b. 1483). Given the boy’s version of her name at birth, she was the illegitimate daughter of Pope Julius II & helped negotiate peace with the French (as well as buying her own castle at age 26). x