Lawrence Hall, HSG
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                                On the Day Papa Benedict Died

This day a year ago Papa Benedict died
I heard it in a post-anaesthetic mist
Was there a TV in ICU? A radio?
Did someone say it? I don’t remember now

I knew only that Papa Benedict had died
That I was alive, and didn’t know why
Little toy cowboys rode across my mind
But in my lungs the air was sweet and cold

Papa Benedict had something to do with it
And Saint Elizabeth of Thuringen

And I am thankful