the truth is the light and light is the truth

from Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man

A fiery sun

made a path toward us

on the rippled water

and scattered pink shavings

over the rest.

Night was falling.

Our differences encircled

us and a chill air.

But the light. It gathered us

at the edge of the lake,

and we stood.

We were pilgrims of the light.

Franco Pagnucci, emeritus professor of English at University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has published a chapbook, two short poetry anthologies and five books of poetry, the most recents: Tracks on Damp Sand and Breath of the Onion—Italian-American Anecdotes. His essays have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor and Commonweal. His poetry is included in News of the Universe, American Voices, and Best American Poetry, 1999.

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Published in the September 11, 2015 issue: View Contents
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