Pope John Paul Ii Poem by Walterrean Salley

At the Vatican—
Saint Peter's Square—
The faithful
Kept vigils there.

'Neath the window,
Where their shepherd lie,
Were many a prayer
That he wouldn't die.

The shadow of death
He'd survived before;
But would he again,
Or surrender the sword?

A great leader
Extraordinaire—
Prolific in vision,
Purpose and prayer.

In faith and love,
The beloved Pope
Travelled the world
With a message of hope.

Such man of courage,
Forgiveness too,
Showed the humility
That not many do.

When facing obstacles,
Or fighting sin,
He taught resilience—
To never give in.

And as a Modernist
Of papacy,
He bridged the gap
O'er land and sea.

Flooding Rome
And the Vatican Square,
His flock descended
From everywhere.

Clutching their rosaries
And clenching a cross,
With last respects
For the gem they had lost.

In the lives of many,
His teaching abounds.
For his spiritual legacy,
His life astounds.

He was born Boytiva,
But destined for change;
Thus, to billions,
John Paul was his name.