Oh madam!,
Red of face and quick of word.
I must admit the father
sees no one today.
He has taken (white of face
and singly staring) ill and
thus has closed the box.
There must be no confession
while he lingers so
within.

Who knows what he might say!
Who knows what sins he might forgive!

"Let the ants toil freely," I heard
him declare, "while the birds
mend their fractured flight."

Now, until Our Father deems
it fit our father ours
should heal the sick, I most repentant
ask you hold it in.