Bernadette Met The Dean Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

“At the chosen cavern site,
Let a church be built.
Let processions come hither, ”
These two, the Lady told her.

In the garden of roses,
The Dean of Lourdes,
Was trimming withered leaves,
And dried up branches.

It was at that time,
A sealed letter came
From the Town Bishop
With his brief write up.

The Dean read the letter
On the Lady’s matter,
That led to no conclusion
On the so called vision.

His prestige was at stake
For should the girl make
And hit the news all o’er
A brat would turn popular.

A crowd stood at the gate.
A young girl was leading it.
Alone she entered the garden,
With fear, to meet the Dean.

This, the Dean didn’t expect,
But she paid her respect,
And picked up courage
To convey the message.

“I’m Bernadette Soubirous.
The Lady now desires
To have a church built
At the chosen cavern site.”

“Processions she wants,
To come to her place, ”
She felt more nervous,
While telling this news.

“Why you’ve come to me?
Who’s this Lady to tell me?
What’s her sweet name?
Wherefrom she came? ”

The Dean raised question
After question, to frighten
Bernadette and send her out
As it wasn’t his job, he felt.

“I’m not here to listen,
To a lady unknown,
And fulfill her desires
Within our poor resources.”

“Go and ask your Lady,
First to get the money,
And thereafter let her tell
That she needs her chapel.”

“Listen to this, my girl,
Let her perform a miracle.
Now is the winter season.
Let the wild rose bloom on “

While she heard from the Dean,
His stubborn face, she had seen.
As a messenger, she carried
This message to be delivered.