The Nun Changed My Mind Poem by Cynthia Buhain-baello

At that young age, impressionable -
I was very submissive to their rules
Like earthly gods who were irascible
Those convent dictators made us fools.

At their command we knelt for hours
Before what they called 'God' in a wafer
Faith in that doctrine withered like flowers
As my trust on those nuns would soon waver.

At their clap we genuflected like robots
In silent, unquestioning obedience
But their cold stony faces showed us not
A vague tinge or a hint of God's Presence.

One day, I remember some school program
When our number was over, I took the stairs
A nun standing there lost her temper said 'Damn! '
The fierce rage in her face raised my hair.

The red veins in her eyes almost burst
As a violent anger consumed that nun
Not knowing why, I think that was worst
To this day I can't recall what I'd done.

As a child I knew that God loved me true
And He always gave Grace and Kindness
That nun showed me all I must not do
That Religion of Hypocrisy is useless.