Bernadette (a poem)

There are shadows along her wrists and ankles
She has the serenity of oceans
And turmoil in her eyes
A shadow of a creature
Reaching for Paradise
Buckled by hunger and poverty
Here in her heart the Gateway...

Veronica sits at her side
Lays her head upon her lap
Weeps into her dark tresses
Whispers dreams of freedom
Decorates her world in light
And clothes her in the strength
Which comes from love...

Magdalene comes to her with promise
Wards off strays, dogs and disease from her door
Tells us the truth of our teacher
The simple man who led us
Gently through our first steps
When we would have killed him
He showed us a path hidden
In the sand for centuries
The inner mystery
The self answered question
The light upon all things
Which comes from love...