Fr. Maximilian Kolbe, Prisoner Number 16670

*Written for the PAD challenge. Day 19 a poem about somebody.

14 August 1941

black smoke plumed up to
heaven and he, burnt along
with the rest, said "Ave
Maria" before the injection
of carbolic acid, crowned
with red and white, this one
who laid down his life
for another, in Block
13, starved for a fortnight of the
weak substitute coffee and dry bread

and "God dwells in
our midst" said he,
going to his death with singing
and praise, straight into the arms of
Our Lady