We escape convent walls
a blizzard of angels
in white nightgowns
filthy feet and feathered wing
racing across grass
laughing among the narcissus
by day we are put away
beneath stained glass windows
no one hungers for us
lamenting princesses of Christ
small cold hands
without mothers to warm them
bruises beneath blouses
sisters of the holy misery
passing down their catechism of loveless
mothers to doomed daughters
at seventeen we escape
into watercolor light
the cold pink breath
of Sunday morning
Elizabeth Mercurio is a poet and teacher residing in York, Pennsylvania. She holds a degree in English from the University of South Florida. Her work has appeared in The York Daily Record, Yorkfest Anthology 2014, the blog Versify, and will be forthcoming in the journal Third Point Press. You can visit her at http://www.tenthmuse.ws/