Editor’s Note: Kerry Arquette’s book of poems, War Cries: Unheard Voices, Unmarked Graves is now available here.

via artistkerryarquette.com

A priest is nothing without faith.

That is what links him to God, whom he serves.

 It inspires questions, provides answers.

And is the seed, water and sun for courage.

In Dachau our beliefs were our identifying collar.

I, newly ordained, shone with knowledge of His glory

And ached for opportunities to prove my

Faith.

A priest is nothing without conviction

I tried to cling to my beliefs with terrified passion.

But exhausted, ill men are spiritually vulnerable,

 And doubt feasts on vulnerability like infection on open flesh.

I filled my head and heart with droning prayer

To drown out the condemning screams of souls

Who watched and bemoaned my failing

Faith.

A priest is nothing without religious fervor.

I prayed for a chance to reclaim my own.

Then came the day the Tormentors decided

 Ten prisoners would be killed for one who escaped.

A doomed man wept in terror until a priest stepped into his place.

And that holy martyr met God wrapped in glory.

 While I, a nothing priest, mourned my dead

Faith.