The Columbiad: A Poem

A sweeping, patriotic poem set at the moment when Christopher Columbus confronts the mysterious figure of Hesper, this work blends the excitement of discovery with a thoughtful moral framework. The poet treats the historical episode with the dignity of epic verse, yet refuses conventional heroic formulas, aiming instead for a concise, tightly bound drama that unfolds within a single, pivotal night. Rich, elevated language carries the reader across seas of imagination while keeping the action grounded in the very real stakes of exploration and nation‑building.

Beyond the dramatic encounter, the poem becomes a meditation on the responsibilities of power and the ideals that should guide a young republic. It juxtaposes the awe of new horizons with reflections on honor, liberty, and the danger of glorifying conquest for its own sake. Listeners will find both the stirring immediacy of an epic vision and a quietly persuasive call to consider how history’s heroes shape the moral compass of their own time.