(I thought the end of the year an appropriate time to share this poem I penned. It is all poetically true, and as we come to the last day of the year, it is apropos too. Some think death too morbid a subject to ever be addressed, but as a priest I do funerals and so think about death. Besides, as Jorge Luis Borges wrote, “All it takes to die is to be alive.” Mercutio in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet after being stabbed by a sword is asked if the wound is serious, he replies, “No, ’tis not so deep as a well nor as wide as a church door; ‘ Tis enough,’ twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.” I guess if the Bard can poetically spar and parry with death while having a bit of fun with it, I can as well. I had to memorize that Shakespearean line in 9th grade – 43 years ago – and finally decided to put it to use. Mrs. Russell should be proud that her efforts to force us to memorize things has not been forgotten.)
This Square Peg Finds Its Place at Last
Through time across earth’s face
I sojourned to find that place
In which I might fit, but no.
It’s the last place I want to go.
A place for rest, not recreation
My final worldly destination.
Though in life I found no place on earth
Where I fit in since my time of birth.
There is a place to call my own
Wherein I’ll rest my weary bone.
That place some time ago was booked
Reserved but the date was yet overlooked.
The fees for the lot were gravely paid
As were the wages by the one they slayed.
In life my soul found no rest or peace in sin,
The end is where the square peg at last fits in.
Fraternized 