Originally published on stylewise-blog.com on June 28, 2020 Photo by foc foodoncam on Pexels.com “Please, I need a chaplain to visit Mr. S. I just gave him really bad news.”“I know he prefers the Catholic chaplain. Does he want to wait for him, or should I come now?”“Come now. I just gave him really, really … Continue reading God, Grant Me the Courage
Margins, Stories, Faces
Originally published June 8, 2020 By Leah Wise Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com As you very likely have gathered, I have been swamped working over 40 hours a week as a hospital chaplain since May 18th. Chaplaincy 101 While I knew what I was getting myself into in terms of workload, I don’t think there was … Continue reading Margins, Stories, Faces
New Haven
I moved to New Haven on July 23rd, 2019. I've lived here just over three weeks now - I think - and it's been a combination of profound stress, sporadic sadness, and excitement. I think I decided to write today because, 1. it's been raining since I woke up, so I canceled my plans to … Continue reading New Haven
August
Today at Golden Hour I stared straight into the Sun orange like henna in white hair The cataract of August humidity across its eye, I turned away quickly A warning whispered in my ear "Look and you will die." But false hope lies in careless implication Look or not, the astral face of God will … Continue reading August
Particle
Relics can be Bones that held Together, exoskeleton: A camera initiated In the summer of hate A serving tray bought In Town - You visited with Your daughter The thermos you drank Tea in, with ritual like it was the Body of Christ, containing wine, mixed with Your blood Relics can be old CD towers, … Continue reading Particle
Midnight Calls
My body is fragile Crack me open at the seam in my Ribcage, like a damp wafer – watch the strawberry blood cake in exposed air. How many midnight calls, and dinnertime Interruptions can a heart take before the valves wear thin And the tell tale tingle moves up my arm? Doctor’s orders: I can’t … Continue reading Midnight Calls
“Be Brave”
Don't tell me to Be Brave, again, as if courage is instinct for half of us and Learned Behavior for XX chromosomes alone. As if my going out is not its own defiant act And my speaking: Bold, Direct is not akin to wielding the sword. Don't tell me Courage is: holding my tongue and … Continue reading “Be Brave”
What Else?
When you're 27 and your friends are 78, or 82 - you either Accept your fate: Your friends are going to die, or What Else? This is the only Truth that persists: You are young and people die. And your death doesn't matter, so much. It's not that - it's this: It will never make … Continue reading What Else?
Leah Wise 