Sister
No taller than 5’ 2”
Wrapped in a black and white habit,
Sister Camella Mary taught
My eighth-grade class.
She was tough but fair,
Not one of those knuckle busters.
One day, a ‘Brother’ came
And spoke to our class.
He was recruiting young kids
Into ‘The Life’.
I was thirteen, naïve and
Very shy.
I liked quiet.
I liked peace.
After class I approached Sister
And told her that I might
Be interested in the seminary.
She listened, then said,
“Roy. There is no need to decide
Right now. Take your time,
Go to high school. Enjoy those years.
If, in four years you feel the same way
The seminary will still be there for you.”
I never told my folks
About that conversation.
I never told anyone.
Not for years.
Sister Camella Mary,
A woman full of grace
Looked a thirteen-year-old in the eye
And gave him honest, good advice
That changed my life.
Sister Camella Mary,
Wrapped in black and white,
No taller than 5’ 2”
Was one hell of a woman.
A woman I have kept in my prayers
My entire life.
A woman I owe.
A woman who deserves a poem
To go along with all of my prayers.
Roy W. Backes
© 2021
Roy W. Backes - Poetry 