A Slight Possession Poem by Patti Masterman

There is a nun soul inside of me somewhere:
I notice traces of it sometimes
A distant glow of candle light flickering
A wafting of incense and whispered chanting
Once I had a glimpse of her,
Sitting sedately in the chair in front of me
The black and white habit so comely
Softly folded around her chasteness
I can tell she's most often
Kneeling at some icon, hands clasped
Lips murmuring, fumbling with the beads
But I don't give her any freedom:
Life is too harsh and bereft
Of conscience and remorse; I know
She would be slapped about, cursed,
Disrespected: It is just too bad
I know the world would adore her
For her goodness and her gentle heart
But I must protect her
Until we're both safely dead.