Contrasting visions

(Image:
Three Acrobats
by Susart)

If you are a regular reader here you've probably already taken a look at one of the texts from the Vigil Mass for Pentecost, Ezekiel 37:1-14. In that passage, the prophet has a vision in "the spirit of the Lord" and sees a plain littered in every direction with dry bones.

Pondering this text as part of my homily preparation, there came to mind a poem I read recently by our friend Philomena Ewing over at Blue Eyed Ennis. The piece is titled "The Campo" and can be found in her collection, Siempre Siempre Siempre.

The plain in Ezekiel and the campo in Phil's poem are far apart in many ways but there's something about the "agile bodies escstatically moulding, in mesmerising contortions, boldly unfolding, cartwheeling and somersaulting..." on her campo that connects me with the prophet's vision. The scene on the campo provides a satisfying and fulfilling contrast to the prophet's plain and its dry bones longing for muscle, sinew and flesh to embody them, to bring them to life. It's all in the contrast: the plain, a place of desolation; the campo, a canvas for festivity.

And it's in the contrast that I find a better understanding of the Spirit's desire to bring us to life, body and soul.

The Campo
by Philomena Ewing

As far as the eye can see, umbrellas,
seating beneath the trees, people, eating.

Fast camareros, moving quick as bullets,
faster than food can pass through your gullet.

Children, families, cafés olé,
eating away, day after day

in La Naviera and Bavaria Brau,
the five day Fiesta is now in full flow.

At ten past eleven we are in our seventh heaven;
no one wants to go.

Three generations having ten conversations,
the accordion player is so vivacious.

The Moors and the Christians are thick in battle,
but no-one wants to know.

There's Ingmar Bergman gliding by,
in stiletto heals six inches high.

Three acrobats in blue, red and gold
suddenly appear:

their agile bodies escstatically moulding,
in mesmerising contortions, boldly unfolding,

cartwheeling and somersaulting,
till after two in the morning;

then, with the girlfriend of Ibiza,
we are seen strolling,

to the villa in the mountains,
to Montgo, Denia, our home.




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