The Forest of the Stylites
by Scott Cairns
Feast of the Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae
Anno Domini 2020, September 6
—for Warren Farha
The way had become unbearably slow, progress
imperceptible. Even his hunger had become
less, little more than a poorly remembered myth
of never quite grasped significance. And the field
he now glimpsed far ahead as a failed
forest whose cedars—bleached and branchless—clearly reached
past the edge of his sight. Occasional, erratic
movement at the tops of a few distant trees spun
his bearings some, induced brief vertigo, recalled
to him his hunger, if as a wave of nausea,
which abated, then poured back as he drew near and the trees
transformed to pillars, each topped by an enormous
weathered flightless bird enshrouded in a rag.
*Originally published in Scott Cairns, Recovered Body
(New York: George Braziller Publisher, 1998), p. 59. Reprinted by Eighth Day Books.
Share this Post on Your Preferred Platform
"Seal of the Fathers"
In Memory of Warren Farha, 1955-2026
An Ode to St. Brendan the Voyager
Materialism vs. Liturgical Life
The Faith of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women
Oxymorons and the Cross
Warrior, Shepherd, Penitent, and Type of Christ
The Church in the World
A reflection for Orthodox Great and Holy Friday
A reflection for Good Friday
