Father
i.m. Father Jacques Hamel 1930-2016

Such a small throat,
wafer-frail above folds
of a white linen alb
almost too heavy
for bird-light bones.

Such an old man,
not seeking death
but sensing its nearness,
hoping to go in peace
like blind Simeon.

Such a rapid step
from terror to healing,
as his life-blood
lapped into the warm
blue bowl of eternity.