I whistled as my coworker and I closed up the shop
While mopping, we shared heroes and examples
I asked my friend, “Say, if some saints would come for cone or cup
“What flavors, do you reckon, would they choose?
I’d hand ’em samples!”

My coworker, amused, gave this reply

“Saint Pete would go for Rocky Road; at least two reasons why
On road from Rome, ‘Quo vadis?‘ He asked Christ
Since Paul once stopped near Naples, Neapolitan he’d try
A Trinity analogy he’d buy…
Though imprecise!?

“And speaking of which, clovers were Saint Patrick’s ‘show and tell’
So Mint Chip would that Bishop love the most
Saint Francis? Easy! Moose Tracks plus a second scoop as well…
Vanilla, for His love for Jesus dwelling…
In the Host”

“For Dominic, his habit might be Cookies ‘n Cream flavor
Gerard and Bar’bra, Cherry Chip to share
Therese would “choose them all”! But take a Rose Sorbet to savor
And Cookie Dough for Hildegard the baker
Extraordinaire”

“It’s clear which flavor many of the Carmelites would like
For Blessed Ukon, Matcha he’d attack
Saint Benedict would, as a rule, first pre-bless every bite
And Athanasius would not stand for ‘lite’…
But full sugar, full fat“

I shared how my dear dad had told some tales of his own heroes
Who’d licked this heav’nly gift with grateful hearts…

Saint John Paul II, the pope who craved “Marron Glacé” gelato
Pope Benedict, “Cassata Siciliana“
Once, Blessed Casey stored in drawers two cones that did not melt
Saint Carlo liked to top his with Nutella…
What a fella!

Before we each clocked out, I shared with shock and some emotion
The goal of all devotion, we’d neglected
The Royal Couple! To express my love for both, an ocean
I told my friend, “I know what they would pick
If I’m correct…”

“Undebatably divine, the flavor known to rule
A Chocolate cone would Jesus love, three scoops and chocolate dipped
Her mantle’s hue to match and to evoke her queenly footstool *
A Blue Moon might be Mary’s, crowned with whip…
But would it melt
  As she went round
     As mothers do
        Till she had found
That no one in the parlor had been skipped?”

***

*And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. -Revelation 12:1