Gnostic Dyptich

Gnostic Dyptich

Elder Gideon

Disintegrated
The nest

In his
Mother’s absence

Unraveled
In the wind

Fledging up
Looks down

Years above
The ground

Below

He knew
He had to spring

He looked above
The sink in art school
Hung water-stained

Flyers of a dome
Over Florence

He set upon

His eyes filled
With wings

His need for knowledge

Of his origin beyond home
Of his faith beyond religion claimed
He’d have to wait to die to know

But now he was right to feel more

Behind Jesus more than
Sandbag pulpits minted
Money flags in guns

We trust more

Than the least of these
Of Me the royal We
Who are hungry thirsty

Estranged imprisoned
Sick & naked
The least of these

Disguised as Me

---

Elder Gideon
Poet & Educator

Gideon has been published in American Journal of Poetry, Agape Review, Amethyst Review, and Heart of Flesh among many others. His second poetry collection Gnostic Triptych launches with Atmosphere Press spring 2022. He is a faith leader, veteran educator, and iconographer. You can read, see, and hear more of his work at www.eldergideon.com.

Photography by Tim Hufner