in a sculptural call and response today.
Mary Dyer sits atop carved Vermont
granite. The Colonel’s massive horse prances
across Beacon Street, dancing,
sending a small flock of mourning doves rising,
white tail feathers fluttering and diving
around Mary Dyer’s immortal hands,
counterpoint to wings of mottled tan.
The bronzed symphony of Colonel Shaw
beats his 54th Black Regiment answer.
A bas-relief Winged Victory hovers over guns
as men march out sharply at a quick-step run.
Whittier’s low-relief angel of God model
carries an ironic olive branch into battle
above the etched faces of African-American men
who chant Omnia Relinquit, Servare Republicam,
who left everything behind to serve the Republic.
Meanwhile, high on her pedestal, idyllic,
Mary Dyer sits in silent repose,
speaking stillness in a meditative pose.
Mourning doves flutter about her frozen hair
cooing a lament into the disappearing air
as I remember what she said near her ending
`I am already in paradise,’ never otherwise pretending,
hovering above all in the late October air
as if to call back and forth to the Colonel
nearly overcome by his soaking shower of tears
as they meet in an apotheosis of freedom and of grief.
Do you wish the elders to pray for you?
She said I desire the prayers of all God’s people.
Cursed Quaker, repent and drive the devil from this Land.
Christ-like blood transported new fever,
her body encompassed healing faith,
she preached the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
She praised God, holding her brethren in her heart,
imagined soaring into the afternoon air.
Cursed Quaker, repent and drive the devil from this Land.
She longed for her husband and the waters of Narragansett Bay
to lay her head on their island bed of thorns.
She preached the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Father, speak through me thy servant
she cried – certain, I lose my life by finding it here.
Cursed Quaker, repent and drive the devil from this Land.
She preached the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Stan Searl is a member of Santa Monica Monthly Meeting (PYM). He is the author of several books of poetry, including Homage to the Lady with the Dirty Feet and Other Vermont Poems and Quaker Poems. He is currently working on a new book of poems about early Quaker martyrs.