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The Devotee

She moves from one devotion to the next,
From this beloved statue to the text
Of some obscure or justly famous saint
Who’s good at whatsoever her complaint
Parochial or personal may be
That holds her in the grip of piety.
No claim is made here that she’s insincere.
Quite on the contrary, her prayers appear
As heartfelt and as ardent as a nun’s
(Though even silly prayers at least are puns
That play on words that spring from our desire).
If only one could sense within the fire
The light that makes the human spirit buoy:
Her ardor needs a smattering of joy.

.

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Jeffrey Essmann is an essayist and poet living in New York. His poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and literary journals, among them Agape Review, America Magazine, Dappled Things, the St. Austin Review, U.S. Catholic, Grand Little Things, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, and various venues of the Benedictine monastery with which he is an oblate. He is editor of the Catholic Poetry Room page on the Integrated Catholic Life website.

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7 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Living life well needs a smattering of joy. I have always worried about spinsters, nuns, and widows. On the other handy who is to say they are not happy and have abundant joy in ardent service to the Lord as you intimated within the last three lines?

    Reply
  3. jd

    A well-crafted and astute observation, though for some, joy is not so easily demonstrated, unless, of course, the ego is altogether destroyed.

    Reply
  4. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    The matter-of-fact tone in this meticulously crafted sonnet delivers an engaging character portrayal of “The Devotee”… one I recognize. I often marvel at all the shining gifts God delights us with in this troubled world and wonder why such devotees are so joyless when He is where the joy is. Jeffrey, thank you!

    Reply
  5. Paul A. Freeman

    What a brilliant picture Evan chose to go with your poem, Jeffrey, and what a great portrait you painted.

    Thanks for the read.

    Reply
  6. Jeffrey Essmann

    Thanks so much, everyone. So glad you enjoyed the read!

    Reply
  7. Shamik Banerjee

    I am aware of such a “devotee” in my family circle. It’s hard to figure out whether her devotion outshines her joy (if present) or is just a portrayal of “seriousness,” which is often equated with the intensity of devotion. But some Himalayan yogis I met who spent half their lives in seclusion meditating and praying carried a completely opposite behaviour—one that of childlike joy. I think for such individuals who find and unite with Him, joy pervades through every cell and becomes so apparent that one can sense it without them requiring to display it. 

    Thank you for this thought-provoking sonnet, Mr. Essmann. It’s always a pleasure to read your work.

    Reply

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