Lourdes

Bernadette prayed,
wore straw knee pads 
and
built a cathedral incarnate.

Remains of the glorified were
sun baked shingles upon her roof.
Beaded mercy chips 
and
pieces of blessed palms
sewn by dainty hands;
her mausoleum.

Visionary lass -
the divine enchantress
taught you to devour
a million agonies
and
digest the callous sins
of modern day charlatans -

who foolishly attributed
your pious actions
to 
telltale symptoms of 
manic depression.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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George   Avatar
March 29, 2011 at 4:27 AM
St. Bernadette. Her incorruptable beauty is a testimony to the miracle she brought to manhind. Sensational writing as always, John. Elaine
Mehta Avatar
March 28, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Congratulations on your poem being featured this week, John
Brown Avatar
March 28, 2011 at 5:50 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved featured poem this week John. I wish you the best in the finals x3. Love, Carol
Ahmad Avatar
March 8, 2011 at 1:58 AM
Woah bro, congrats!!! Amazing stuff...you made it on 3...great bro...all the best for the finals.... amazing write! Love ya, hugs!
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
March 7, 2011 at 5:48 PM
Congrats on all three poems making the first round. Would expect no less from your works. God Bless. Vince
Sweetheart Avatar
March 6, 2011 at 6:27 PM
Congrats John on your first round success in the Poetry Soup contest luv.. good luck...
Sweetheart Avatar
November 14, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Wonderful write, Joh, and the last five lines are very poignant ..easy to pass off things not understood as being crazy or manic as u state... enjoyed this piece .. makes one think and reassess things in life... good job as always... Opus 13 another magnifico write... thankxxx for sharing... luv .. Linda-Marie, P.E.P.S. "Sweetheart"
Knop Avatar
October 9, 2009 at 5:54 AM
Hi John, I especially like your last five lines. A very well written piece you are presenting here. Keep your pen flowing....Gert
Golden Avatar
October 7, 2009 at 11:33 PM
John, your work has a remarkable quality to it that I hope to (one day) emulate. Thank you for your significant contribution to the Soup. Love, Donna
Kendrick Avatar
October 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Mental illness is bad for everyone involved. Keep writing. Sara
Culverhouse Avatar
October 2, 2009 at 4:03 PM
sad write, love it, mental illness is a hard, hard thing to live with.
Richards Avatar
October 2, 2009 at 8:40 AM
So nice to see once again, the gift of your poetry! Hope your writing is going well....this one is another example of your fine pen at work~ Love, Carrie
Brown Avatar
October 2, 2009 at 6:43 AM
John, thank you for sharing your writing with us today. I truly enjoyed the read and what an ending. I miss seeing your postings. Did you get your book published? Love, Carol
Goff Avatar
October 1, 2009 at 11:19 PM
powerful, John!... jim
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