As a modern Catholic poet, I really appreciated Nick Ripatrazone’s review “Searching for Jesus' footsteps — through poetry” in the April 21 issue.

While studying Catholic poetry, I have discovered that nearly one-third of the Bible contains some sort of poetry, from songs and prose to sermons and letters. I especially like Ripatrazone’s quoting this passage from Angela Alaimo O’Donnell’s book “Holy Land”: “Ultimately, the souls “do what they always do, / stay here with us.’ ”

Those who have passed from this world “know they are loved, / seen and acknowledged by their flesh & blood,” he adds. These words are a powerful reminder how the art of poetry connects humans throughout history.

— Clarissa Cervantes, Los Angeles