A Necrology of Religious Life

By Michael Power - Welland, Ontario, Canada - 2 September 2014

 

 

A history of piety and peccancy

laid out in neat rows and columns,

each grave sprouting a metal cross,

each cross embellished

with a nun name, a date of death.

Thousands of prayers soak the soil

into which their lives were lowered

at their appointed time, in their allotted space.

 

Up through this green ground on this summer's eve

arises the invisible, enfolding incense of grace and peace.

It is the scent of sinners become saints.