Creative Corner: ‘A Moment with Grace’ by Angelo D. Golatt

Illustration by Tamara Korcheva

I can still remember when I first saw you–
a seemingly random night that brought 
a seemingly random discovery, 
was really Providence.

Wading into the depths of time to merge our storied paths.
A small step back into history 
and there you were,
sitting atop the town.

Gracious. Humble. Secret.

I immediately knew I had uncovered something special
something secret
some part of me.

You draw me closer to you.
At first approach, I can feel you embrace me.

Warm. Inviting. Honest.

One deep look into you 
and you begin to whisper your secrets.

Though time has faded and chipped away
You still gleam with beauty and elegance,
Poised there over the city.

I see you grin as you take in all her stories 
and witness all her changes.
Yet you remain unchanged,
A timeless beauty.

Gilded. Golden. Graying. Gracious.

That place in my heart that I share with no one.
My own private room 
of silence, solitude, and security.

I gaze up at you in our secret embrace
and I am lost.

I do not know the year.
I do not know the day.
I do not know the hour.
I only know here.
I only know now.

You hear my fears and see my tears.
When I am away from you, 
my heart sojourns back to you.

A stolen piece of history
Spirited into my world
With no judgment, 
no angst, 
​no noise
Only Grace.

Angelo D. Golatt is currently incarcerated at David Wade Correctional Center.

If you or someone you know is a currently or formerly incarcerated person with creative content to offer, please submit your materials to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch! We’ll share the content on social media and always give credit to the artist(s) involved. Any type of submission–whether stories, poems, illustrations, music, videos or something else–are welcome!