THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT

for Sister Pauline

You are looking at me like that again.

You have never not

been looking at me like that. You

and your awful

beautiful eyes.

Each one a tiny planet

smearing its edges toward God.

Each one with a force like the sea

and it has me.

You cannot know

how it has me.

I understand now what makes a woman

give her heart to Jesus.

The sisters knew something

I could not—but maybe

I know something too

how sweet the dirt is after rain—

how to answer a question with a question

how to live without you

and be happy.