waiting in purgatory

what is that prayer?

i ask her

when i hear her repeating

the words

over and over again,

as she kneels

down

at her home made altar.

it's the prayer

of Saint Gertrude

the Great, she says.

each time i say it,

a thousand souls are

released from purgatory.

so far i've released

ten thousand people

just today.

interesting, i tell her.

do you want me to lower

the tv.

no she says, i'm watching

dateline.

okay. well,

i'm going for a walk.

keep at it.

it's must be hell to be

kept waiting.