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ISLAND OF THE BLESSED
This is the Island I was reared and trained,
Called Frauenwoerth, in lower Germany,-
Within its convent walls lived many a saint,
And naughty boarding students, such as me.
St. Benedict’s strict order and its rule
Within its cloistered walls and halls held sway,
also was observed within the school,
And is held up and followed to this day.
Ideal is this isle for a retreat,-
It’s rich in facts historical and lore,
For German Emperors had had their seat,
Nearby upon the Herren* Island’s shore..
The convent’s first abbess was Irmingard,
Daughter of Ludwig, King of Germany,
Himself the grandson of Charles the Great,
And sovereign renowned in history.
The Blessed Irmengard is patroness
Of Frauenchiemsee island and her shrineshrine,
And island homes, antique and very quaint,
Well hid behind some ancient lordly pine
Nuns in this convent are to be addressed
As “Domina” - as they are nuns of rank,-
Not Sisters, - Note! - but Dom or "Domina",
Although they suffered much of many a prank.
The rules within our school were rigorous,
and its curriculum was rich but stern,
Yet greater than strict rules was naughtiness
Of boarding students meant from it to learn.
What pranks, and antics, tricks ingenious,
Defied and beat all strict austerity,
And mischief shocking nuns and the abbess
Was often practiced with impunity.
Oh! pranks conceived by young and fertile brains,
In spite of vigilance cannot be curbed,
Especially if nuns are at great pains
To keep the life of prayer undisturbed.
Young wicked Einstein’s seek and find a way
To flout strict discipline and bend the rules,
This is a fact well known, especially
In all too rigorous monastic schools/
Of discipline and drill I shall not talk,
T‘would take too long, - but know it was defied,
We dared take Saint Augustin for a walk,
And the unwary Domina complied.
“Tell Domina Augusta please, - how come
Your Patron did not criticize the horde
Of Goths, nor blamed Alaric who sacked Rome,-
Was he just following orders from the Lord.?”.
Please tell us Domina Augusta, tell us pleeeeeeeease,
Was Carthage independent yet from Rome?
Tell us about the various flummeries
The Saint had with the short-fused Saint Jerome!
These questions brought the lecture to a close,--
(The class was meant to cover Chemistry),
Much loathed,- the bell rang and the nun arose
To exit class somewhat distractedly.
Oh boundless cunning that did modify
The schedule, and agenda to be taught!,
Through crafty questions programs went awry,-
And brought curricula itself to naught.
In dormitories likewise - what a shame!--
It was forbidden talking after nine,
But Domina Teresa often came
To check that everything was calm and fine
But Oh! it was not so, for Gretchen had
For all of us to share a narrative,
And to be heard, sat close by Fanny’s bed,
And the whole dormitory came to grief.
A step was heard out on the corridor
The whispered warning: “flee!- each to her bed”
While slowly turned the knob of our door,-
To findher bed for Gretchen was too late.
So Gretchen crawled beneath Flick Fanny‘s bed,
Which was so low,- just inches from the floor,
Feet sticking out ,- hard to accommodate-
Shocked Domina Teresa,- Chancillor.
Come out! Come forward!” spoke the saintly nun,
Don’t dare to hide beneath the bed you brat”!
But crawling back for Gretchen was no fun,
Who wriggled desperately 'neath the bed.
Obedient,- the legs came forth and then
Two round androsy cheeks appeared at last,
Oh comforting, full, sweet, and rosy moon!,
A moon that had no trace of overcast.
The Island boasted it’s own Romeo,
“Hieronimus“,- an X-legged cavalier,
Who walked below our windows to-and-fro
All set to serenade - when eve drew near.
He watched our windows patiently this knight,
Hieronymus- so he was simply called,
I know not why - but he was smart and bright
We called him just “Hieronymus the Bald”
And punishment there was, -but all did end
At graduation with loud ringing bells,
And the entire class would soon disband,
To wreak their pranks and mischief somewhere else.
Diplomas issued, and the students split
To sue carriers divers, - some caused dismay,-
Till after years - some savvy Jesuit,
Did straighten out the mess and disarray.
The destiny of each of us was different,
With a direction each of us would need,
It came exactly as the Lord had planned,
But caring nuns had planted precious seed.
And for the toil and the devoted love
Of teachers and companions so true,
I cannot show of gratitude enough,
But only pray,- please Lord give them their due..
*The Lake,- called Chiemsee,- has two Islands,
one is called Herren Insel, - Island of the Lords,
and the other Frauen Insel - or Frauenworth - Island of the Ladies.
The Chiemsee is at a about 80 kilometers from Munich, very beautifully situated and surrounded by mountains.
This song is dedicated to the heroic Dominas who had to put up with us.
© Elizabeth Dandy
beautiful poem
beautiful history lesson thanks!!!!!!!