Dear Reader, this is the first time I’ve personally posted my new award winning poem It placed 1st in the Poetry Society of Texas Performance Poetry Annual Competition. Credits follow the poem. The poem is written in the form of a Dramatic Monologue.
Galileo Galilei, a Defense of Heliocentricism
Thank you my dear friend Ferdinando for the honor of your presence. To think that only seven of the ten cardinals of the inquisition voted for conviction of near heresy with threats of torture, puzzles me. I know, it could have been much worse, this house arrest brings such a burden of loneliness. I miss my daughter Marie Celeste. Her encouraging letters bring me more comfort than you can know. My mission is to make God’s design of the cosmos known to all men. Would that my oppressors could see Jupiter’s moons move in such synchronicity. If only they could see how mathematics predict the future positions of those orbs. Instead, they placed my work on the Index of Forbidden Books, and argue that my work violates scripture. I say not so! My theology agrees with Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. One cannot take all scripture to be literal. My work is built on those who came before. Men like Aristarchus almost nine hundred years ago. And recently Copernicus and Kepler have added to the body of work on heliocentricism. You must tell no one of what I shall tell you next. A friend has asked me to share my, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. One day it will be my witness and a force for good my friend. No sir, I cannot publish it now. One day my friend, I will be exonerated. For now, I dare not risk being permanently separated from my darling, Marie Celeste. Her gentle spirit and kindness has given me a reason to live. May my detractor’s eyes one day be opened. Soli Deo Gloria.
Previously published in the Poetry Society of Texas Book of the Year 2015
© 2014 Richard L Weatherly
Rich Weatherly - Author 
Fantastic! Love it.
Thank you, Karen!
I’m honored more than you know.
Rich
A work of art, Richard L Weatherly.
Charlotte M Liebel
Thank you Charlotte,
What an honor!
Rich
A very personal, intimate, portrait of the historical character. For me, captures the scholarly tone of the writing of the time. Nicely done.
Thank you, T. James!
When I attended the awards banquet, I didn’t know which of the poems that I entered won 1st place.
I was pleasantly surprised to see it was this one.
Rich
Rich, again I have enjoyed your work. And like T. James I am fascinated with the scholarly tone of the writing on a particular time in our history. It brought to life as a living and breathing man struggling and I was right there with his faith and hope.
Thank you! I appreciate your observation.
While Galileo made a compelling case for heliocentrism, he was ignored by the powers that be. He was clearly vindicated in time.
It’s sad that he was persecuted for having the courage to stand up for something he knew was correct.
We all are better off by recognizing and appreciating the lesson he gave by his faith and hope.
Outstanding, Rich! Quite scholarly and speaks to the times! Best wishes.
Thanks for your comment, Billy Ray! I’m honored sir.
Rich this is so beautiful and reminds me that deep faith is compatible with science, and also that science only imperfectly describes a perfect and wondrous world. Thank you for sharing this with us readers!
Thank you, Jennifer~ I’m honored you say so and I respect you all the more for this demonstration of faith. I can’t thank you enough!
Well done, Rich. Congratulations on the well-deserved first place!
Reblogged this on Pinnacle Writing and commented:
A reblog from my friend Rich Weatherly. Speaks for itself!
Thank you Tom for your comment and for reblogging the post!