Third grade was a long year
     she said
They had habits like coffins
And rulers like hammers
And the Sisters of the Blessed ****** Mary
Showed slightly less mercy
     she said
Than the Sister for whom they were named
And St. Brigid loved learning
But the one who went home and
Told her father I hit her
Was no saint
     she said
Though she wanted to be a nun
     she said
And the nuns in San Anselmo
Were like
  dying
and
  going to heaven
     she said
And the air in the city
Was like breathing a bruise
And Auntie Rose was a fixer-upper
     she said
And
     she said
  Thank you.