Pope Francis

Jovial and solid, dramatizing in his mannerisms

The content of the word “affable,”

Pope Francis slips into his heavy vestments, and

Slowly moves about.

The Vatican apartment he has chosen is simple.

The vestments he has chosen are loose-fitting, but

They are heavy.  They are heavy with the weight

Of what he has assumed: an institution grown heavy

With the accretion of beauty, good works, and vice.

Now Pope Francis moves out into his day,

Toilette accomplished, morning prayers dutifully said,

The Jesuit in him takes hold.

He walks erectly into the assistant’s office, and

Greeting him in Italian,

Begins his very heavy day.

--July 29, 2013