the nuns at st. thomas more's

the nuns
in white
and black
with thick
wooden crosses
hanging
down the front
of their habits
go striding
across
the blacktop
in their
thick black
shoes. their eyes.
are clear and hot.
you see them
in the playground
pinning
an unruly redheaded
boy, full of
tease against
the chain
link fence
that corrals
them all in.
with holy menace
sanctioned
by the grace
of god,
they are making
the world safe
for little girls
in pigtails.