TO SAN GIUSEPPE OF COPERTINO / by Joe Castorino

The townspeople all thought 

   you were a total fool,

But the saints agreed 

   you were really a jewel;

Academically you 

   weren’t very smart,

But you loved the Lord 

   from deep down in your heart;

The tough priestly studies 

   made you feel very drained,

Yet by God’s mercy 

   you were finally ordained;

With this the detractors’ gossip 

   finally ceased,

For they saw you 

   as a respectable priest;

The flabbergasted people 

   would just stand and stare:

For dozens of times 

   you levitated in prayer.