SEVEN DEADLY SONNETS: SUPERBIA

From my seven-part poem "SALIGIA" (Superbia, Acedia, Luxuria, Invidia, Gula, Ira, Avaritia - Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Anger, Greed), first published in my second book, Glad and Sorry Seasons.

 

Superbia

 

Charles Blondin crossing the Niagara River in 1859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The French funambulist of world renown

has come to carry out his daring act.

A swarm of tourists overruns the town;

bets are placed, escarpment benches packed.

Two hundred feet atop the misty pit,

with unaffected ease and nimble tread,

he sends the anxious crowd into a fit

of frenzy, tumbling, standing on his head.

 

The Great Blondin requests a volunteer

to piggyback across . . . a sudden hush

descends, betraying both desire and fear.

Tant pis!, he teases, perched above the rush

of raging water, waving to us all.

We hold our breath . . . and wait for him to fall.

 

 

 

 

 

(Niagara Falls, 1859)