Present Absence: Two Poems, by Shlomi Efrati

Crucifix, by Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz (Poland) 1968–71

Present Absence

1.

Built over barracks
By concrete and glass
Buildings of national Catholic pride
Along with the chapel behind.

Christ stretches arms points his legs 
Metal black over white chapel wall
Symmetrical body with no cross to bear
Hovers in clean modern air
Majestically simple and straight

(Chapel of the Catholic University of Lublin, 31 August 2023)

Christ Bearing the Cross, by unknown artist (Poland?) 1733(?) Photo courtesy of the author.

​2.

In a tunnel like stairway
Sheltered, concealed
Leading up to the stations of sorrow
Humble niche and a bench for
Humble devotion and rest.

It houses an image
Simple and childish
Peeled off and stained.

Light blue skies. 
Flat green hills.
Cross looming heavy and dark
Diagonally leaned.

Its bearer removed
An empty, bright space
A body no more

(Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kazimierz, 31 August 2023)
​
Shlomi Efrati

Shlomi Efrati was born and raised in Kibbutz Yavneh, Israel, and studied Talmud at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He currently lives in Leuven, Belgium. He enjoys the meticulous study of ancient texts and the ongoing attempt to perceive the worlds from which they emerged.