On either side of me, sisters One and Three
have sons with tics I managed to escape
somehow--and not just me. My son and daughter
only suffer normal twitches. I've asked God above,
on knees, why in His mercy sisters One and Three
were Instruments of Grace, not me, but secretly
I stockpile rabbit's feet and other charms
to ward off evil plots and thank the Lord,
praise be His Name, that sisters One and Three
were sent the locusts, frogs and hail
Mary, it wasn't me.

April 2005