Costanzo

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“Castigans castigavit me Dominus,

et morti non tradidit me.”

It is a known fact that pain and suffering are constitutive elements of our human existence. The modes, intensity, and quality may vary from person to person, and affect individuals and families in more or less profound ways.

Pain shapes our physical reality in ways that affect our daily living by diminishing our dedication to work, our enjoyment of life, our very desire to exist. Suffering defines who we are, how we envision the present and the future world, what we believe and hope. It can make us strong or break us down. It's the very essence of life; either we sing, or we sink under.

For more than seven months during the unfolding of this year 2007 I have encountered both pain and suffering, like many other individuals in this world of ours. A trial no more nor less poignant than others have faced or endured. While both pain and suffering have paled in comparison to many tragic events that have befallen huge numbers of people all over the world, I have equally felt them in my body, soul, and spirit; and seen my life turned upside down and drastically changed.

These poems, written between March 25th and May 22nd 2007, are personal and intimate expressions of the transformation that has taken place in me, and still does. I offer them to anyone who wishes to read them - as if looking in a mirror and seeing one's own image both reflected and refracted.

The human frailty we experience during times of illness can strip us of our masks and bring us to the core of our authenticity if we are able to embrace our vulnerability and befriend it. In sharing his story, Rev. Costanzo, through his recent suffering, gives us a glimpse of how he was able to touch into the healing presence of Christ from the darkness of his physical plight. His heightened awareness of God's compassionate care for him in the people and situations he encountered along the way are testimonies to us of the all embracing love God has for us even when we may not feel it. His reflections will be a source of strength and hope for all those who contemplate his words.

Mary Fran Wegman, RSM, RN

“...Will this vegetable heart feel human emotions again?

What love will it be capable to give and receive?

`Tis but a perfect pump that works without rest

And sends the vital lymph to limbs near and far --

Ah! This mended heart has much work to do till the final beat.”

From “CABG” in Out of Paradise

These forty-one poems -- deeply personal, painful, at times even humorous -- invite the reader along on a profound journey. Michael Costanzo's moving chronicle of the trauma and lengthy recovery from a life-threatening heart attack offers welcomed companionship and solace to anyone who has experienced sudden loss or injury and embarked on the long sojourn of healing. This journey, necessary and difficult, leads the poet to renewed health and a new understanding of the “work to do.”

Each poem in this volume is rich with detail: the machinery of the hospital, the joy of holding an infant nephew, the sensory pleasures of a family meal. As Costanzo re-gains his physical strength, an abiding sense of spiritual strength suffuses the poems. Out of Paradise makes it plain that from suffering can also come lyricism, affection, and -- most importantly -- hope.

Author of “Daedalus' Daughter” and “Via del Paradiso”

both published by FootHills Publishing

May I please come in?

Said I with a broken voice.

A clear sound came through

The transparent white cloud.

Surprised, I answered My time has come

And my name should be with you.

I hear the sounds of celebration

A mighty choir shaking the foundations

Of the blue planet below.

I have read all the names on the list

But found your name not.

You must be mistaken - Look below

And see someone by your bed waiting

In prayer and tears for your return.

Go back to your watery planet,

For you must continue your journey

`Til the path you thread on is worn out

And your heart is filled with longing.

Go on, let yourself gently through the air.

Blessings come in bunches like grapes - I've no idea

If anyone ever said that; is it even true?

But mine have, during this time of forced rest.

They have come in groups or alone, family and friends,

Colleagues from work, from churches and homes,

Each with a gift of comfort, a card, or a word of hope.

Tony and Bruna came one day with a load of goods and care,

Picked me up to dine and watch soccer games

Renewed my faith that tomorrow will come once again.

is a 56 page hand-sewn paper book with spine - $13.00

***************************************************

Michael Costanzo was born and educated in Sicily (Italy), where he taught from 1962-1970. At the end of 1970 he came to the USA to join his parents and family, already living in Rochester since 1962. After receiving a PhD in 1979 and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology in 1987 from the University of St. Thomas in Rome, he returned to Rochester and began teaching at St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, MCC, and BOCES. He has been a full time teacher in the Department of Religious Studies at St. John Fisher since the Fall semester of 2001.

Table of Contents

The Matins of Saint Clare

(The Wind blows over)

(The seagulls fly in the shady light)

(Que toma, usted?)

“Pour toi que J'aime”

(Terse the sky dresses, with the azure)

(Suddenly, o Sylvia, evening falls)

Epigram for Sharilyn

(These are the colors of youth)

(My eyes shed no tears)

To Mademoiselle La Vie

(The sun was scorching hot)

(Your happy memories dance)

Life dreamt by colors in trinities of candles

To an adolescent dancer

When Love returns to sing…

(When your cup of joy is empty)

(The lulling melody of Torelli's Christmas)

Blessed are the poor

The Matins of Saint Clare

Saint Clare, the bells are singing

that sweetest herald the morning,

A-singing are the bells

The bells that gently

freshly spun by the pure hands of God.

You rise from your bed of straws

and on your cheeks, Saint Clare

splendid is the color of your joy,

in your love-shining eyes

you hide the secrets of your soul,

and leads your steps.

You take your place with gracefulness

and chant sweetest melodies,

and your mellow voice weaves

with the somber harmony of the Choir

the pungent notes of your love.

He that gives you Dawn

heeds your praise and sighs for joy.

In the brisk air of early morn

sweet is the sound of your song;

the purest dreams of your love

ascend to the throne of God

with the springing waters

of the fountains in the garden.

And your vision, Saint Clare,

is of eternal glory.

{After Respighi's impression, The Matins of St. Clare,

from the musical frescoes “Church Windows”}

A Vision of Beauty

is a 52 page hand-sewn book with spine - $12.00


	FootHills Publishing \| home Submitting to FootHills \| 2007 Books \| Zazulyer \| James \| Spiers \| Hoogestraat \| Lochridge \| Lehmann \| Gittings-Dalton \| Bashkirew \| Good \| Rivera \| Calhoun \| Deer Cloud \| Wright \| Miller \| Milby \| Bird \| Quetchenbach \| Gordon \| Riche \| Richardson \| Brown \| Schwartz \| Rossiter \| Graser \| Owens \| Merrifield \| Thomas \| Krok \| Jennings \| Stelzig \| Faurot \| Costanzo \| Ordering by Mail \| Contact FHP Michael Costanzo OUT OF PARADISE (See also Michael Costanzo's book,Visions of Beauty, FootHills 2006) Foreword “Castigans castigavit me Dominus, et morti non tradidit me.” (Psalm 118,18) It is a known fact that pain and suffering are constitutive elements of our human existence. The modes, intensity, and quality may vary from person to person, and affect individuals and families in more or less profound ways. Pain shapes our physical reality in ways that affect our daily living by diminishing our dedication to work, our enjoyment of life, our very desire to exist. Suffering defines who we are, how we envision the present and the future world, what we believe and hope. It can make us strong or break us down. It's the very essence of life; either we sing, or we sink under. For more than seven months during the unfolding of this year 2007 I have encountered both pain and suffering, like many other individuals in this world of ours. A trial no more nor less poignant than others have faced or endured. While both pain and suffering have paled in comparison to many tragic events that have befallen huge numbers of people all over the world, I have equally felt them in my body, soul, and spirit; and seen my life turned upside down and drastically changed. These poems, written between March 25th and May 22nd 2007, are personal and intimate expressions of the transformation that has taken place in me, and still does. I offer them to anyone who wishes to read them - as if looking in a mirror and seeing one's own image both reflected and refracted. October 2007 M.C. The human frailty we experience during times of illness can strip us of our masks and bring us to the core of our authenticity if we are able to embrace our vulnerability and befriend it. In sharing his story, Rev. Costanzo, through his recent suffering, gives us a glimpse of how he was able to touch into the healing presence of Christ from the darkness of his physical plight. His heightened awareness of God's compassionate care for him in the people and situations he encountered along the way are testimonies to us of the all embracing love God has for us even when we may not feel it. His reflections will be a source of strength and hope for all those who contemplate his words. Mary Fran Wegman, RSM, RN “...Will this vegetable heart feel human emotions again? What love will it be capable to give and receive? `Tis but a perfect pump that works without rest And sends the vital lymph to limbs near and far -- Ah! This mended heart has much work to do till the final beat.” From “CABG” in Out of Paradise These forty-one poems -- deeply personal, painful, at times even humorous -- invite the reader along on a profound journey. Michael Costanzo's moving chronicle of the trauma and lengthy recovery from a life-threatening heart attack offers welcomed companionship and solace to anyone who has experienced sudden loss or injury and embarked on the long sojourn of healing. This journey, necessary and difficult, leads the poet to renewed health and a new understanding of the “work to do.” Each poem in this volume is rich with detail: the machinery of the hospital, the joy of holding an infant nephew, the sensory pleasures of a family meal. As Costanzo re-gains his physical strength, an abiding sense of spiritual strength suffuses the poems. Out of Paradise makes it plain that from suffering can also come lyricism, affection, and -- most importantly -- hope. Anne Coon, PhD Author of “Daedalus' Daughter” and “Via del Paradiso” both published by FootHills Publishing From the Book: I Not Yet May I please come in? Said I with a broken voice. A clear sound came through The transparent white cloud. Why? Who are you? Surprised, I answered My time has come And my name should be with you. I hear the sounds of celebration A mighty choir shaking the foundations Of the blue planet below. I have read all the names on the list But found your name not. You must be mistaken - Look below And see someone by your bed waiting In prayer and tears for your return. Go back to your watery planet, For you must continue your journey `Til the path you thread on is worn out And your heart is filled with longing. Go on, let yourself gently through the air. XXIV Blessings Blessings come in bunches like grapes - I've no idea If anyone ever said that; is it even true? But mine have, during this time of forced rest. They have come in groups or alone, family and friends, Colleagues from work, from churches and homes, Each with a gift of comfort, a card, or a word of hope. Tony and Bruna came one day with a load of goods and care, Picked me up to dine and watch soccer games Renewed my faith that tomorrow will come once again. Out of Paradise is a 56 page hand-sewn paper book with spine - $13.00 TO ORDER ON-LINE To order through mail click here. ************************************************* A Vision of Beauty Michael Costanzo Michael Costanzo was born and educated in Sicily (Italy), where he taught from 1962-1970. At the end of 1970 he came to the USA to join his parents and family, already living in Rochester since 1962. After receiving a PhD in 1979 and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology in 1987 from the University of St. Thomas in Rome, he returned to Rochester and began teaching at St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, MCC, and BOCES. He has been a full time teacher in the Department of Religious Studies at St. John Fisher since the Fall semester of 2001. Table of Contents** The Matins of Saint Clare (It was Spring) (The Wind blows over) In search of Thee (The seagulls fly in the shady light) (Que toma, usted?) “Pour toi que J'aime” Threnody To Life (Terse the sky dresses, with the azure) (Suddenly, o Sylvia, evening falls) Epigram for Sharilyn Good Friday 1977 for Colleen (These are the colors of youth) (My eyes shed no tears) To Mademoiselle La Vie (The sun was scorching hot) for Sue (Your happy memories dance) A moment of madness Graduation Life dreamt by colors in trinities of candles A psalm for K.B. for Kathie (A rainy day) To an adolescent dancer When Love returns to sing… Spring Day Stillness (When your cup of joy is empty) Adriana Fragment of Memory (The lulling melody of Torelli's Christmas) (A desert street) Juliet Blessed are the poor Kiss Glendalough Spring From the book: The Matins of Saint Clare Saint Clare, the bells are singing that sweetest herald the morning, A-singing are the bells that usher Dawn, The bells that gently break in the Day freshly spun by the pure hands of God. Matins! You rise from your bed of straws and on your cheeks, Saint Clare splendid is the color of your joy, in your love-shining eyes you hide the secrets of your soul, and God mysterious walks your way and leads your steps. Matins! You take your place with gracefulness and chant sweetest melodies, and your mellow voice weaves with the somber harmony of the Choir the pungent notes of your love. He that gives you Dawn heeds your praise and sighs for joy. In the brisk air of early morn sweet is the sound of your song; the purest dreams of your love ascend to the throne of God with the springing waters of the fountains in the garden. And your vision, Saint Clare, is of eternal glory. {After Respighi's impression, The Matins of St. Clare, from the musical frescoes “Church Windows”} A Vision of Beauty is a 52 page hand-sewn book with spine - $12.00 TO ORDER ON-LINE To order through mail click here.