begun, a roman funeral
tale of two cities, very different
one commerce, politics, tourism
carryies on with its usual energy
another surrounding St Peter's
the square, basilica, vatican
concentrating on preparations
ceremonies for handling a death
crowds forming, quiet and not so
police and officials keeping order
presence needed yet not required
tented Croce Rossa clinics arrive
media sets up shaping stories to tell
techies fixing screens and speakers
for those gathering too many to see
overwhelming in inevitable bustle, yet
quietening hush, sensed anticipation
thin place of the spirit approaches
something almost tangible
the time to say farewell
normale

who will be remembered
surrounded by cardinals, drama
caught up in the liturgy of the church
one to whom the doors of power opened
who politicians, world leaders attend
some from respect, others for duty
and those who seek a holy veneer
to cover shabby politics, evil even
will they remember him
maybe

who will the people recall
for whose soul do they pray
just one such as themselves
humble, gentle, generous, kind
or trying to be, most of the time
priest of the barrios, the favelas
spending his last days in blessings
children, poor, prisoners, migrants
praying for peace, calling for hope
amidst all the world's conflicts
so many exploitations, wars
using nearly his last breaths
yet who'd ask us to pray, not for
the leader of the Catholic Church
Pope Francis, Il Papa, His Holiness
heir to the keys, the throne of St Peter
but pray for the soul of Jorge, a sinner
whom with love we commend
to the mercy of God
normale


Saturday of Easter Week
26th April 2025
Rome