By Douglas J. Lanzo
Shared Joy on Cold Ice
It came in a flash,
streaked across the ice,
to his slapstick shot,
eluding the vice…
of the outstretched glove,
extended in air,
of the goalie sprawled —
beaten, fair and square.
Flaring red on glass,
as the horn did sound,
my son strobe-lighted,
with great joy felt round…
the packed playoff rink,
that he did astound,
with top corner net,
that the puck had found.
His first goal that night,
and all season long,
he danced on the ice,
with his stick held strong,
then losing his grip,
he flung it with glee,
sprawling on the ice —
laughing merrily.
All his teammates rose,
cheering from the bench,
as he raced to give each…
a fist tight-clenched
to their hockey gloves,
held out to fist bump —
their freshman teammate
who had climbed the hump.
With victory sealed,
they presented him…
the game puck to keep —
as he fought back tears —
smiling limb to limb.
The Architect whose Heart God Wrought
Antoni Gaudi,
pioneering architect
and visionary,
bringing nature’s forms to life
in intricate shapes—
hyperboloids, helicoids—
curving in landscapes
of geometric beauty,
was tasked to design
a major basilica,
lighting the skyline
of downtown Barcelona.
Neither Catholic
nor religious in his views,
but a maverick,
he hoped his work would infuse,
modern shapes and thought,
bringing him fame and fortune,
in ten years once wrought…
of sandstone, granite and wood.
Researching the texts
of Exodus and First Kings,
Gaudi felt context—
studying the great temple
built by Solomon,
replicating dimensions
in structures within
the Church’s spires and arches.
Then new vision came
for a New Jerusalem
in God’s holy name
to be structured in that Church.
With faith in his heart
his creativity grew;
old plans torn apart,
as he increased its beauty.
Unfinished today,
yet a marvel to behold,
where thousands do pray
at Spain’s most popular site.
Struck by a tram car
on his way to daily mass
people mourned the star
who passed in a pauper’s ward,
too late recognized
for the beloved man he was;
he was eulogized
as the man whose heart God wrought.
Reaching the Point of No Turning Back
Dedicated to Harvard Crimson’s Graham Blanks, the 2023 Men’s Division 1 Cross-Country National Champion and Men’s Division 1 5,000 Meter Indoor Track Recordholder
Leading Crimson’s team,
racing for glory,
to realize a dream
headlining his story,
a scholar and athlete
strode up to the line,
ready to compete,
to triumph and shine.
Two hundred fifty-five
readied for the test —
racing cross-country live,
many meters abreast.
He surged with the pack,
undaunted by pace,
poised to attack,
the star-studded race.
The field winnowed down
as each mile was run,
leaving twelve of renown,
seeking time in the sun.
When one broke the pack
he answered the call,
leaving eight at his back,
kicking strong, running tall.
With 1K to go,
he matched stride by stride,
a running hero,
world-ranked, by his side.
With grit and resolve,
he kicked high and fast,
daring to resolve,
just who would outlast.
His surge won a gap
that lengthened downhill;
with all he could tap,
he summoned his will...
Breaking his rival
he signaled victory,
sealing his arrival —
making history.
Doug is an award-winning author whose Newbery-nominated, debut novel, The Year of the Bear, won the 2023 Ames Awards for Young Adult Books, has been named a Finalist for the 2023 Hawthorne Prize and was a 2022 Firebird Award winner. He is also the author of a military romance suspense novella entitled I Have Lived that will be released internationally this spring. Doug’s poetry has been published in 74 literary journals and anthologies in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, England, Wales, Austria, Mauritius, India, Japan and Australia. He and his award-winning haiku poet twin sons enjoy nature, fishing, tennis, snorkeling and hiking. His Author’s website is at www.douglaslanzo.com.
Academy of the Heart And Mind 