Hobnobbing with the Philosophers: The Path of St. Vincent

Detail from “The School of Athens”
a fresco by Raphael (1483 – 1520)
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By Maik Strosahl



Let’s just cut to the chase on this one. I blame Bob Boldt.
    I had a really hard day at work and woke up around 11:45, tossed and turned for about half an hour, got up and looked at my social media. Dang it if Bob didn’t change his background and now I am wide awake!
    It’s a piece of artwork titled “The Path of St Vincent,” which Bob produced with black and colored inks flowing out of that creative mind of his.

     What got my brain working so, besides the story of St. Vincent—the patron saint of charity^*—was that crazy red arrow on the right side. It reminded me of those site maps showing you where you are in relation to the highlights they want you to visit.
    After stewing on it a while, I penned the following, not really sure if it would make any sense by morning. By 3:45, I was tossing again in my bed,  but finally some rest came.
    I did make a few changes, but overall didn’t think it would be too embarrassing to share it. If you don’t like it, be sure to call Bob. It’s all his fault.
    I think I’m going to need a nap this afternoon.

The Path of St. Vincent

You,
you are here,
by the gardens of the vine,
walking the path of a saint,
the footfalls of a man
driven by charity
as he bled for low shrubs,
tall grasses bent,
the children of bulbs
tended from dark earth
with dust on their cheeks,
worn shoes and hungry clothing,
reaching as he also
extended toward them,
the gift of necessity
before their request,
leather faces soothed
in the shade,
a cool glass of lemon sun—
mercy for the throat
meekly swallowed.

Ask and you shall receive,
but a shame you even
felt you had to,
crossing this lawn of wild lilies,
the manicured hedges—
Vincent’s offering to the eyes,
planting seeds of giving
without thanks,
the sprouts pushing roots
deep into the minds
of those receiving,
the blessed
now reaching out themselves
to bless,
to build paradise
beyond Eden.
______________
* St. Vincent de Paul, 1581 – 1660

Copyright © 2023 by Maik Strosahl Michael E. Strosahl has focused on poetry for over twenty years, during which time he served a term as President of the Poetry Society of Indiana. He relocated to Jefferson City, Missouri, in 2018 and currently co-hosts a writers group there.