The blast gone bad, a spike through his head,
Phineas Gage's pierced skull did bleed.
The doctors marveled he wasn't dead.
His healing wounds and brain succeed.
But personality has changed indeed.
No longer on the railroad; he farmed.
Physique injured, the spirit does heed.
My soul bespeaks the body harmed.
Can't consecrate the wine and bread,
The old priest must rest, the church agreed.
Dementia running full speed ahead,
His love and fervor for God now freed.
For God's memory doesn't fail or need.
The hearts and minds he kindled and warmed
Still remember; the psyche will feed.
My soul bespeaks the body harmed.
A baby born with the news most dread;
About special needs the parents read.
Won't learn, won't marry; fate...a life in bed.
With inspiration and warmth they lead.
Perfect strangers, to care and help, some plead.
The smile the child's face radiates; charmed!
All glory to God, Christ does intercede!
My soul bespeaks the body harmed.
Spirited debate birthed a creed.
Composition of body and soul we're armed.
Phineas P. Gage your day is decreed.
My soul bespeaks the body harmed.
- Gary Edward Geraci
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Author:
Gary Edward Geraci (
Offline) - Published: June 24th, 2017 22:22
- Comment from author about the poem: The protagonists in this poem, Phineas P Gage, is a real person whom did indeed survive a horrific workplace accident and not without permanent hardships. As news of his miraculous survival spread around the world some posited that Gage's change in personality after the accident proved that there was no such thing as an immortal soul. After all, personality and soul were thought to have been very closely linked. Much debate ensued with apologists, philosophers, and theologians joining the mix. Now, whenever you hear "Haven't scientist proven that there is no such thing as a soul?" you're likely to hear what l'll call here the Phineas P. Gage body/soul composite rebuttal (see "20 Answers Faith & Science" by Trent Horn - Catholic Answers). I remember asking a priest about my own aunt's Down Syndrome; the priest replied "kid, you ask too many questions!" For years, the lack of an answer plagued my faith with doubts. I believe that our souls indeed do advance or fall back according to the way we use our bodies. We build character and virtue if we use our body according to God's will and conversely, we destroy ourselves through vice and harmful addictions if we use our bodies in a way that contravenes God's will. But not all of us have this ability under our direct control. To say otherwise would risk holding the discriminatory view of "ableism." If a broken body results through no fault of one's own (birth) or through an accident or illness, then we believe God can still make good things come from it. We believe also in God's infinite mercy and infallible memory of the perfection in which he created each and everyone of us to be from the very beginning of time. This one is written using the ballade: 3 stanzas of 8 line (ababbcbc) with a 4 line envoi (bcbc).
- Category: Spiritual
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Comments4
A first rate and compelling ballad with archaic linguistics that really beguile. Bravo and thank you for sharing this Gary.
Thank you Fay for the read and comments. I read about the ballade style in a poetry glossary and then read one by Joyce Kilmer, purely by providence, here in mypoeticside, all in the same day. When the chips fall like that you've got to take it as a sign that Someone wants you to write a ballade. Thanks again!
I love the way you fuse poetry with the documentary writing. You truly hold the knowledge of the fates described on your write. Congrats on your beautiful approach to so very important fates. Thank you
Thank you M.! If the poem opens another to God's grace and the beginning of an understanding of His will for them then my poetry succeeds.
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