“At the chosen cavern site, <br />Let a church be built. <br />Let processions come hither, ” <br />These two, the Lady told her. <br /> <br />In the garden of roses, <br />The Dean of Lourdes, <br />Was trimming withered leaves, <br />And dried up branches. <br /> <br />It was at that time, <br />A sealed letter came <br />From the Town Bishop <br />With his brief write up. <br /> <br />The Dean read the letter <br />On the Lady’s matter, <br />That led to no conclusion <br />On the so called vision. <br /> <br />His prestige was at stake <br />For should the girl make <br />And hit the news all o’er <br />A brat would turn popular. <br /> <br />A crowd stood at the gate. <br />A young girl was leading it. <br />Alone she entered the garden, <br />With fear, to meet the Dean. <br /> <br />This, the Dean didn’t expect, <br />But she paid her respect, <br />And picked up courage <br />To convey the message. <br /> <br />“I’m Bernadette Soubirous. <br />The Lady now desires <br />To have a church built <br />At the chosen cavern site.” <br /> <br />“Processions she wants, <br />To come to her place, ” <br />She felt more nervous, <br />While telling this news. <br /> <br />“Why you’ve come to me? <br />Who’s this Lady to tell me? <br />What’s her sweet name? <br />Wherefrom she came? ” <br /> <br />The Dean raised question <br />After question, to frighten <br />Bernadette and send her out <br />As it wasn’t his job, he felt. <br /> <br />“I’m not here to listen, <br />To a lady unknown, <br />And fulfill her desires <br />Within our poor resources.” <br /> <br />“Go and ask your Lady, <br />First to get the money, <br />And thereafter let her tell <br />That she needs her chapel.” <br /> <br />“Listen to this, my girl, <br />Let her perform a miracle. <br />Now is the winter season. <br />Let the wild rose bloom on “ <br /> <br />While she heard from the Dean, <br />His stubborn face, she had seen. <br />As a messenger, she carried <br />This message to be delivered.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bernadette-met-the-dean/
