Sagrada Familia, by Jennifer Markell

Sagrada Familia interior, by Antoni Gaudi, (Spain). 1883-1926. Photography by Maria Michelle (USA). Contemporary. Click image for photographer site.

Sagrada Familia
​
Granite columns burst into trees,
a drenched forest
pours light in endless
supply, and you consider
lifting a chalice from Saint Francis
as you wander beneath pillars that swoop
like whooping cranes
while a crest floats a thorn-less crown
above your head.

His hands sculpted everything
they could touch: chimneys
and dinner plates, metal gates
curvaceous scroll,
gothic alphabets sprouting feet and wings.
In webs and crevices he felt
beauty breathe;  in dusty remains
he saw starburst
resembling flowers
resembling longing,
a bell tower
to join heaven and earth.

You’re lost in this grove
where panes of glass sift
saffron and lavender.
Golden orbs nestle in clefts
like suns that see in all directions,
see you among the many
passing through,
stepping between shadows,
shape-shifting doubt,
and all you can’t hold…

Jennifer Markell

Editor's note: To see and learn more about Sagrada Familia and Antonio Gaudi, click here.

Jennifer Markell’s first poetry collection, Samsara, was published in 2014 by Turning Point. It was named a “Must Read Book of Poetry” for 2015 by the Massachusetts Book Awards. It was also a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Markell won the Barbara Bradley award in 2015 and the Firman Houghton award in 2016 from the New England Poetry Club. Her work has appeared in publications including Ars Medica, Consequence, The Hawaii Pacific Review, Rhino, Tinderbox, and The Women’s Review of Books. Markell works as a psychotherapist with special interest in therapeutic uses of writing.

http://jennifermarkell.com/