Truly you are brave
full of faith & graceful
laying your hands on the body
of the house. I’d like to light
a holy roman candle for you
which is better than a poke
in the eye with a burnt stick
& polish up your batik face
a bit. Godblessed & all
the rest of it, lean on me,
lady, with your protestant leg.
We’ll make the cat laugh yet.
From The Merino Princess (page 18) by Bernadette Hall
Published by Victoria University Press
Used with the permission of Victoria University Press
This poem has been posted as part of the Tuesday Poem scheme
booksellersnz.wordpress.com 
Bernie’s poetry is ‘good for everything’–thank you for posting this one today.:)
(Emma) I’ve made the excellent move of sub-contracting the poetry selections to Hera who has very good taste.