From the book of light (1993), "far memory 5" Summary

The subtitle of this poem is "sinnerman." It refers to a sexual encounter the nun has had with a priest, who is on top of her without his collar. This happens one night on cold stone, ostensibly in the church somewhere. She feels the priest's fingers "digging," which is a peculiarly unromantic word for a sexual experience. She has almost left this world during the experience and he calls her back, and when she does return, she whispers "hosanna," referring to the wonderful experience, rather than guilt.

From the book of light (1993), "far memory 5" Analysis

The poem's subtitle refers to the priest who has sex with this nun, who already struggles with her passion and thus has yet another struggle. The priest is "collarless," which means that...