Cuthbert

By Jane Blanchard

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The Cuthbert Window, Durham Cathedral

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           (634/635–687)

Before and after this good man
     Was active in his prime,
The isle of Inner Farne was where
     He liked to bide his time.

He tried to be a hermit there,
     But people still would come
For counseling or healing when
     Life got too troublesome.

Because he loved the many birds
     Which frequented the site,
He instituted special laws
     To remedy their plight.

Upon his death his body was
     Removed, then moved a lot,
Until at Durham it received
     A final resting spot.

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Jane Blanchard lives and writes in Augusta, Georgia. Her latest collection is Metes and Bounds (Kelsay Books, 2023).

Jane's other work on Foreshadow:
Liturgy (Poetry, November 2023)
Continuum (Poetry, May 2024)