A Matter of Habit

They heal the sick, they've taught the kids
Like (my fault, Sister, such as) I.
(Good syntax, we know—ow!—forbids,
Unless—OW!!—where, when, how, or why
Like—preposition—indicates.
Plus—ARGGH!!!-—I should have written me
As teach, verb transitive, dictates.
Now won’t you let your straightedge be?)

Like wayward Mary Magdalene,
Who stayed with Jesus till the end,
Today’s nuns hold down, more than men,
The frontline of their church and fend
In ways the hierarchy slights:
Good works compared with canon law;
Soup kitchens, save-the-mother rights,
The Pope not always held in awe.

Solution’s in a kindred faith:
Episcopalian women-priests,
Although church founder, Henry 8th
Was thought by wives as king of beasts.
(I know—ouch!—faith and eighth don’t rhyme,
You up there on your gilded cloud.
Your lightening bolts should be a crime.
They wound, for crying—sob!—out loud!)