Mihi videtur ut palea

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Father Nolan’s baritone would have made a camel blush

But he launched into “Tantum Ergo”

With the enthusiasm of an Irish barroom brawl.


He was tone deaf 

Bringing the mystery of all things transcendent

Down to earth where mere mortals can fight about them.


Brawls with priests in attendance are nothing new

And not usually a laughing matter.

Choirmaster trains with a whip


No mercy for wayward lads.
Nolan was deadly serious.

I was once on his list.


Aquinas tried to complete the work

Of Nicaea. Truly god is truly god.

True means true. It means


When you bite the coin

It cracks your teeth.

Breath that rattles straw.


More straw please.

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