Brother Athanasius

I’m sure that there was a Brother Athanasius
Who lived cloistered in Provence
In a holy monastery sunned by the Provence sun,
But who suffered with sciatica---
Limping here and there on his cane of vine.

My heart goes out to Brother Athanasius,
Fellow-sufferer, as he still wields his medieval mind
Against the cold limestone of his monastery---
Breaking his bitter spirit against the cold limestone.

___________________
---James Bolner, Sr.
Baton Rouge March, 2002