Boston's Ancient Mariner

When Cod Was God

By: Charles Giuliano - Apr 23, 2019

A monument in the center of Commonwealth Avenue.

Admiral Morrison perched on a boulder.

Gazing far out to sea,

A quote from his writing.

Facade of the St. Botolph Club.

Classical urns fronting Comm Ave.

Flowering trees.

Harbingers of spring.

The beloved tulip trees.

The center strip of Comm Ave.

Newbury street is zoned for business.

Entering Copley Square.

Boston's Ancient Mariner

Perched on a boulder
Sculpted in bronze
Gazing far out to sea
In foul weather gear
Under a brimmed cap
Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison
Commonwealth Avenue rock star
Steps from our pied a terre
Venerable St. Botolph Club
Chilly early Spring
Brisk walks to Copley Square
On way to MFA or Pops
Dogwood first to bloom
Followed by tulip trees
Clusters of buds
Cusp of warmer weather
Glorious bursts of color
Heritage of Back Bay
Reclaimed flatland
Laid out in a grid
Broad avenues
Alphabet cross streets
Arlington to Hereford
Reminders of a Gilded Age
Lowell, Cabot and Lodge
Spoke to each other and God
More than likely
Sailing the oceans blue
Admirable Admiral Morrison
Had his fill of cod
Smallest of which
Is called scrod