The “dumb ox” and the “hermit”
Never once met in this reality.
One studied the other, ignorant of
His trajectorial affect on the other.

Both wrote voluminously and afforded many
Arcs of many lives; one over
Decades, the other over centuries afar.
Catholic doctrine vs. justice, contemplative prayer.

A world apart in Earth’s space,
Gethsemani and ranging over Italy, France.
Dominican in Europe, Cistercian in America.
Separation by monastic belt and rope.

Both died violent, accidental, unexpected deaths.
Young death by either days’ standards.
I wonder as others must wonder,
What further gifts were cut short?

Both holy men speak to me 
Through towering thinking, poetically well described
In their oft cited works, beloved
By many more scholars than me.

* The art work for this poem was generated at https://labs.openai.com/, using “Photo realistic painting of Thomas Merton and Thomas Aquinas talking” as a prompt.