The Train of Saints

(In honor of all the saints on All Saints Day)

The saints are ones who bring to heaven a train,
the souls of those who follow in their wake,
trailing behind as on a long, long chain,
like rows of ducks converging on a lake.

They are the folk a saint crossed on their path,
people they knew--or not, but who they prayed for,
their sheltered souls, avoiding all God’s wrath,
on Judgment Day, their saint they will parade for.

O fortunate few, who for a time once knew
someone you had not recognized as a saint,
from whom you took your cue, though sinner like you,
now you can honor them without restraint.

In heaven, O God, we’ll hear no more complaints
of all Your friends, Your multitude of saints.

                         by Pete Voelz     10/31/14