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.