My Sainted Aunt

My ancestor the Austrian was a cobbler
with a shop in the town where he made shoes,
a cottage he returned to each night for dumplings and stew,
and a garden where the children tended the plants and played.
On Sundays and Feast Days, he attended
Mass with his plump wife and innumerable
children who squirmed in their seats, except
the one who would become a saint—she enjoyed the singing—
Lord have mercy upon us,
Christ have mercy upon us,
Lord have mercy upon us.
When she was older she entered a convent,
where she prayed for the ones who had
squirmed during Mass, who now attended with
plump spouses of their own, and innumerable
children who squirmed in their seats, except
the few who would become saints.
They enjoyed the singing.