Visit to Heaven's Abbey (1)

St. Mildred's Invitation

Frustrated, and, dejected,
I ran once more
Through Heaven's Abbey gates,
Sneaking into the garden,
Knowing my unconsecrated self
Was unwelcome inside
The Cloister.
Only those spotless sweet-tempered women
Are allowed in God's Perfection.
I knelt under some bushes,
Crying,
Trying not to snuffle.
Eyes closed, heart knotted,
Something touched my cheek.
Opening my eyes into the gentle smile
Of a white deer's gaze,
St. Mildred asked me,
"What on earth are you doing down there?"
I didn't answer. The bells chimed for prayers.
"Come along," St. Mildred said, without inflection.
"Not welcome....not anywhere.....don't belong,"
I sputtered, white deer nose still in my face.
"Don't be so silly," St. Mildred intoned,
"You're here, aren't you?
Leave that parish nonsense behind--
Accept your vocation of praising God.
Come along."