Sisters have mercy

By: Pippy Giuliano - Aug 30, 2025

 

Sisters have mercy

Cloistered Sisters of Mercy shuffle in silence

hovering just above the sanctuary floor

percussion of rosaries clacking in lock step

Come

Quantities of impenetrable cardboard

sequester bosoms to parts unknown

bulging chin, puffy hands, purplish lips betray a someone

beneath volumes of black that give no scent

Serpentine of innocents parade bravely through convent doors

swallowed up by Mother Superior

stunned into submission by the crack of her ruler

half-dead catechumens drone the weekly call and response

neutralized for now but stained

Follow Me

Redemptive tales of saints spring forth

miracles of salvation

rescue the final hour of perpetual Sundays

illuminating anguish from ecstasy

bread as body, blood-tears to wine

Mystical voices portend hope - all are not lost

save the wounded

too stupefied to bear witness to

entreating whispers:

Come follow Me - I will give you rest.