Day 703 of the Daily Poems. 06 November 2024. Perhaps not a day for rejoicing. This poem from our poet Derek Adams references the Auto-da-fé (‘Act of faith’), the ceremony for pronouncing judgment by the Inquisition, followed by the execution of sentence. Derek’s poem is part of his collection about Lee Miller, from the period of her life when she was suffering from PTSD and depression, with many demons raising their heads. A sanbenito is an ornamented garment worn by a condemned heretic at an auto-da-f?é.
Auto-da-fé
(London 1955)
In the mirror
of fitting room at Harvey Nichols.
I am wearing a black sanbenito
by Tomás de Torquemada,
decorated with devils
from my past.
Outside the London streets are foggy,
in Lewes they will already
be stacking wood for bonfire night.
Derek Adams
first published: Ink, Sweat and Tears 26.05.18