A poem by Joanna C. Valente

Invocation to St. Joanna

You are forgotten to mostly 

everyone. You die 

alone. You are not remembered

like he is. The first thing

you want is the last 

you receive. Have you

ever received?

Did he give you 

what he promised? 

And so above

and below, and as

below and above,

as if it were you,

as if it were ever you,

could ever be you,

you chained 

to a heaven you were 

never

sure existed, were never

sure you got

the invite, gold foil

and all, as if it were

you all along. 

FOLLOW JOANNA C. VALENTE.