Pope Francis

In his new white robes,

Standing on a veranda in Rome

He speaks Italian and waves,

Waves a weak hand to the crowd. 

In Italian he says nice things

Which will be read as code

Containing keys to his values.

In their red robes

Some cardinals, unchosen, harbor regret.

Some, unchosen, are filled with relief

That they will be going home

Without the burden of the world.

Now Francis prays for the odd retired pope, and

For the people of Rome and for all of us, and

Now he takes his leave, and

Commentators begin to parse in earnest.

March 14, 2013