As though it were ordained the message hummed
a little after Angelus and that
was followed by an exhortation and
an almost kin of such chagrin to be
avoided as lament for it was not
a cause for faith to fade nor trust to trail
unnoticed as a piece of ornament
to share when fortune seems eluding one.
Lest St. Louis of Montfort’s feast come by
unthanked and unobserved because of woe
however smidgen-sized and yet could grow
if it were not for kindred sentiment.
For men of hardened hards do not deter
that which we hold as dear and not less clear
than ardor for a waylaid sibling who
mayhap has wandered into Waterloo.
And, having thus forgot, the altered state
may not be kindly called to ruminate
the pledge for erstwhile piety for dread
that grace may opt for some auspicious date.
The task albeit almost keen can wait
‘Tis not as opportune as judging waste
what can be salvaged as, instead of haste,
a worthy subject of a supplicant.
The ways to woo a prospect are but few
and not without a toast the twain shall do
in earnest will of good besides the kind
of amity that will not rust in rain.
ABRAHAM DE LA TORRE
