The teapot was full catering size

perfect for the church function

where I first met Sister Millicent.

She was balancing it on her head.

Her eyes were uplifted

so were her lips.

It was her party trick.

I didn’t know nuns did such things.

Later I watched as she learned to jive

to the music of Elvis and Eddie,

blushing as the new curate twirled her

this way and that.

She wasn’t very good but we applauded

with smiles – except for Father Laycock

who’d never been known to smile.

The Hokey Cokey was more her style.

“Oh Hokey Pokey poke ye,” she sang,

elbows poking anyone close,

hips wiggling, skirts lifted

as she kicked her legs high

in an enthusiastic can can.

I didn’t know nuns did such things.