Poem: "The Visitation" by Joyce Kilmer

There is a wall of flesh before the eyes

Of John, who yet perceives and hails his King.

It is Our Lady’s painful bliss to bring

Before mankind the Glory of the skies.

Her cousin feels her womb’s sweet burden rise

And leap with joy, and she comes forth to sing.

With trembling mouth, her words of welcoming.

She knows her hidden God, and prophesies.

Saint John, pray for us, weary souls that tarry

Where life is withered by sin’s deadly breath.

Pray for us, whom the dogs of Satan harry,

Saint John, Saint Anne, and Saint Elizabeth,

And, Mother Mary, give us Christ to carry

Within our hearts, that we may conquer death.