Thursday, 29 May 2025

An Unexpected Smile by Jennie Hart

credit Jennie Hart

She was a nun on a bike wearing habit and veil

No satin or lace or red leather

A ‘sit-up-and-beg’ bike with handlebars high

But in black to protect her whatever the weather!


Her knees had an angle of ninety degrees

From her limbs to ensure a firm grip

Her crucifix swayed as the pedals she turned

She didn’t fall off not a tumble or slip!


She had a wild look as she ploughed through the traffic

She swayed too and fro as she took the fast lane

She pinged on the bell and her dazzling cross dangled

Her speed was excessive she looked quite insane!


The road made a dip as with vigour she pedaled

She ceased to hold on and free-wheeled for a while

We stood on the kerb mesmerised for a moment

By her manic expression then Unexpected Smile!


A further encounter with God in his glory

Was a priest in a cassock who sauntered along

On the Mall on a Sunday in May in the morning

And the message he carried was heart-achingly strong.


He held an umbrella wide-open announcing

Wise words to the crowds who watched for a while

As all over the brolly was inscribed ‘God is Gorgeous’

And each tourist in turn gave an Unexpected Smile!

credit Gencraft

3 comments:

Suzie Pearson said...

I enjoyed this when you read out this week. Totally brings a smile to my face!

Irena Szirtes said...

Me too! Such a fun image and I love the umbrella 🌂 😍. The nun reminds me of when I did 2 terms at a Catholic school. The head announced we were going to see 'The Amazing Swimming Bun,' and I was convinced he said 'Nun' 😆 you never know what might inspire you 😊

Anonymous said...

I now have a vision of a swimming bun! Thank you both for your kind comments, it was just a light- hearted poem written en route home by rail.