GATEKEEPER

In the seventeenth century
A statue of St. Peter
Was placed on Trajan's Column
Replacing the emperor's
Melted down long before.
In late 1959, St. Peter
Took his statue's place,
Setting it to watch
The gates of Heaven.
So far as we can tell
God has been pleased
With the statue's work.

VISITORS

From out the November dark three knocks;

There has been rain; the moon is in the road

But the women in the doorway are not wet.

The young one is a sorceress; she will speak truths,

Go mad and die by water, her pockets

Crammed filled with stones.

The next will never find what she seeks

Will love well but not wisely, she will live long;

St. Peter watches her grave.

The oldest, great-hearted, died young; on this night

All three stand at your door, waiting.

Why have you not bid them enter?