The Widow at the Piano: Poems by a Distracted Catholic

The aging woman playing the piano at church may look saintly but her mind is busy wondering things like whats under the priests robes and why Jesus didnt invite the women to join him. Also when someone faints in the Communion line should she keep playing? All the while she is playing singing and directing the choir hoping that shes on the same verse as everyone else. The Widow at the Piano takes readers on a journey through the distracted mind of the music minister who has recently lost her husband to Alzheimers disease and whose only nearby family is the church family at Sacred Heart Church in Newport Oregon. These poems look at the challenges of leading small church choirs traditional vs. modern church music the role of women ministers in the male-dominated Catholic Church faith vs. practical concerns and life behind the scenes at Mass with an honest blend of reverence and irreverence from a writer who has always felt not quite Catholic enough.Reminiscent of Jan Karons Mitford Series this collection of poetry highlights the goodness and foibles of a committed woman of faith with humor and steadfastness. Rachel Barton editor Willawaw JournalSassy yearning and bittersweet Sue Fagalde Licks oh-so-human conversations with God and with herself--part prayer part challenge part confession--offer a refreshing new take on the theme of the spiritual quest. Ingrid Wendt Oregon Book Award recipient author of EvensongHer dog has to pee her pantyhose are migrating and Jesus might be trying to sell her a vacuum cleaner. Licks strength as a poet comes from her courageous honesty and her ability to go from raw emotion to the perfect funny detail on a dime. Nancy Vieira Couto poetry editor of Epoch two-time NEA fellowship recipientA touch of humor a touch of grief. A touch of bawdy a touch of intimate. A touch of religious a touch of reverent. Put all of these together and you get one wonderful and satisfying read. Kathie Giorgio author If You Tame Me