A Two-way Ticket Tattoo

Posted by Tim Bete | Oct 16, 2019 | Poetry, Spotlight |

catholic poetry room

This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Thomas Lequin.

A Two-way Ticket Tattoo

For years I’ve had
a two-way ticket
back and forth to you.

I tire,
mostly of myself.

In a dream an angel
named Joseph tells me,
“Throw away the ticket
and pray ‘Tattoo me,
Lord, as your own.’”

I travel no more.

Thomas Lequin is a Catholic priest who lives in Maine. He is also a farmer, hunter, fisherman, Maine Master Guide and writer. Some of his stories and poems have appeared in Chiron Review, Plough, The Anglican Theological Review, Presence and other journals and anthologies.

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About The Author

Tim Bete

To submit poetry to be considered for the Catholic Poetry Room, visit our submission guidelines page.

Tim Bete is Poetry Editor for IntegratedCatholicLife.org and always searching for the best Catholic poetry from today's poets as well as those of the past.

Tim's poetry has appeared in Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry, The Asketerion, and the Poet and Contemplative Blog of the Discalced Carmelite Friars (Province of St. Therese). His first book of poetry is The Raw Stillness of Heaven, of which one reviewer wrote, “If you are Catholic and think that you do not like poetry, this book will change your mind.”

Tim is former director of the national writers' workshop at the University of Dayton—a Catholic, Marianist university. He's a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) and often trades poems with his oldest daughter, who is a Dominican Sister. He says she's the best writer in the family.

Tim's writing has also appeared in several editions of the Amazing Grace anthology series (Ascension Press), theChristian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest magazine, and numerous parenting magazines. His latest book is Wanderings of an Ordinary Pilgrim

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