​Bernini's Arrow, by Bob McHeffey

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italy) 1647-1652

​Bernini's Arrow
​
The angel holds the arrow above my chest--
The arrow I know she will plunge into me
Over and over
Strong with righteousness
And the anger I deserve.

My pain will be as clear and sharp
As my guilt,
My blood dripping
Like my first blood.

And in this instant
This flash between the holding
And the plunging
I am lost in the ecstasy of anticipation--
the first touching of the tip against my tender skin
the parting of the flesh
my blood
my muscles surrounding the arrow
    as she pushes it in further
and then the release
the absence of arrow
droplets of blood following
flowing down my sensual skin
my eyes closed
knowing she is right
knowing the arrow is good

I will not defend myself.

Bob McHeffey has taught high school English for 38 years, including an Humanities course that focuses on all aspects of art (not just literature) so he gets to mix them together.  "I even teach my students the word ekphrasis.  I also teach creative writing and write with my students, challenging them to challenge me."