Mabel always beams when I arrive
in the dementia ward; and starts
her replay loop:
I’m Church of England I been
Church of England all my life
the Rector used to come
for tea and pumpkin scones
I’m Church of England I been
Church of England all my life …
Seemingly beyond all human reach
yet I have seen her deeply moved
by small things like a flower, or
kindly touch, or prayerful skerrick
of wine-dipped wafer, her
caved-in smile signalling God
unthwarted by the mind’s demise
10 July 2013
© the Revd James M McPherson
Maryborough Qld