Poem: Pentecost

Martyr

The Lord’s voice, ever

In her ear. Sudden silence

As the flames reach her.

Rosary

Clenched in her once-hand

Their cries cut through bone and earth,

Ascend to heaven.

Habit

Rough-hewn and holy.

Heavy as a memory,

Heavy as regret.

Mother

Hail Mary, full of

Grief, of bafflement, of loss,

Of rage and sorrow.

Crucifixion

Did He truly die

Upon the cross? No matter.

Others did, slowly.

This article appears in December 2015.