Send no more letters now, only forget

We ever met....” and the letter maunders on

In the unformed uncompromising hand

That witnesses against her, yet provides

Extenuation and a grudging praise.

Rachel to be a nun! Postulate now

For her noviciate in a red brick convent:

Praying, studying, wearing uniform,

She serves the times of a tyrannic bell,

Rising to praise God in the early hours