Review of "The Parallel Cathedral" by Tom Sleigh

"The Parallel Cathedral" by Tom Sleigh was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on November 12, 2013.  A link to the poem, including the poet's notes, may be found here:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/23748

Tom Sleigh teaches in the MFA program in Creative Writing at Hunter College.  He has published numerous books of poetry and is the recipient of many awards.  A detailed biography may be found here:

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/371?utm_source=PAD%3A+The+Parallel+Cathedral+by+Tom+Sleigh&utm_campaign=poemaday_111213&utm_medium=email

The poem is written in free verse and divided into three numbered parts of four stanzas each.  Part 1 creates an elaborate conceit of a cathedral as a metaphoric vehicle for the poet's native Rocky Mountain home.  Part 2 extends the conceit to Nature as a cathedral.  In Part 3, the poet waxes personal as he compares himself to his namesake Saint Thomas.  Throughout the poem there are striking images of nature and frequent biblical references.