A Catholic 8 PM
Hobo
The singing of rosaries
out the mouths of knee-bent children
in a circle without smiles
earnestly repeating “Our Fathers”
without any at night
before the light of an unloving nursemaid.
What does Holy Mary receive
of their smallness
their cotton shifts
their deep eyes closed in prayer?
What left to give when in confession
when one is six
and sinless?
The Crucifix, the Crucifix
in these child-dirty palms.
