By J.J. Tindall
SPHINX OF PROCOPIUS
An electric butterfly
with blue glass wings
circles the head
of this glass sphinx.
Legend alleges
the brothers of Procopius Abbey –
now Illinois Benedictine University
In Lisle –
machined this idol
for a secret cemetery
reserved for the pious.
The land is lush with old growth,
hilly, like the moraines
of southern Wisconsin.
So the brethren machined
this idol, this glass sphinx,
and its eyes
light the cemetery at night.
Its paws are poised
upon a blood-red harmonium
and if you throw a diamond over your shoulder,
the harmonium begins to play:
fugues, laments, arias, odes,
a melody for each diamond. Then
it goes silent
but for the faintly discernible
hum of
electric butterfly wings.
The butterfly
is deathless, dive-bombing for diamonds,
blue wings
throwing blue shadows
across the graves.
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J.J. Tindall is the Beachwood’s poet-in-residence. He welcomes your comments. Chicagoetry is an exclusive Beachwood collection-in-progress.
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More Tindall:
* Chicagoetry: The Book
* Ready To Rock: The Music
* Kindled Tindall: The Novel
* The Viral Video: The Match Game Dance
Posted on August 27, 2014