She Helped Children

Their happy child’s life went on

day after wrathful day – at times

subterraneously – at other times

emerging into bare courtyards.

Hundreds were fed and housed

within the crumbling convent.

Sister Matilda – the most notable

civilian – was fine, wise, shrewd

in judgment. She moved above

the daily melée. In 1917, they took all

the children from her — sent them

to Leghorn – cruel but necessary –

for her building was hit every day.

Sister M. remained on alone – without them —

among the ruins. We found her there still –

serene and practical as ever –

when we returned to Gorizia —

on the full tide of the Great War’s

final subterranean victories.

“We also helped children.”

. . . . .

Poet: Susan Powers Bourne
Sources: Blue Guides: Artwork of the Month;
Harper’s Pictorial History of the World War
Process: Redact, remix, reflect, montage