Auschwitz Max

(St. Maximilian Kolbe  1894-1941)

St. Kolbe, you were faithful to the max,
when Mary appeared, she tested out your ardor,
a red or white rose, which one more attracts?
You chose each rose--red martyr and white martyr.

One prisoner from Auschwitz got away,
the Nazi penalty--death for ten men,
one pleaded for his family in dismay,
you said you’d take his place as number ten.

They took you ten and threw you in a hole,
no food, no water for more than a week,
you led their song and cared about their soul,
and in the end, you turned the other cheek.

A priest of Christ, for Whom your blood you shed,
a saint of Mary, martyr--white and red.

                          by Pete Voelz     10/29/14