Excommunicate

Marie Van Vorst (1867–1936)

I do not find an altar, or a priest,Nor any sacred still confessional;Masses and vespers, I must shun them all,Tho' every belfry bid me to the feast!I may not wear the cross upon my breast;Nor make its sign;—or in repentance fallBefore the niched saint. In canticleI must not chaunt one frail blurred note, or least.

For my religion is my joy and shame;My priest, my altar, canticle, and massArt thou! and lest thou hear my creed, and know;Shouldst hear me sing my love, or pray thy name—Unshriven with my burden I must go;Proud, excommunicate, I pagan pass!