Saint Dymphna

Dymphna, saint of Antwerp, buried

In sarcophagi with Gererbernus, her private

Priest, fled

Her father’s lust as Christian martyr, head

Was lost beneath his sword . . . Now

Her waters heal us

From our fears, her gentle look, a step

On the dragon’s tail, the

Book open to Mercy for our illness, balm

For our pain-wracked bodies, the

Virgin Saint who refused

Her father and was baptized in secret, body to

Lay in bones in the Church of Gheel

With her confessor, whose

Own life was

Cut short

By the sword

Of the raging king – Damon, who would

Replace his

Beloved with his daughter, She

Who gave her life

In obeisance to her Lord and would

Not yield

Her innermost self

To the deluded King – She

Brings us peace, her gentle caress

Soothes and her Memory

Stays fresh in our minds, our hearts,

Our Souls . . .