The nuns gave me shelter -- hiding
me from those who would kill me --
there in the cellar of their convent,

below with the wine, the formal linens,
and also now a Jew. I spent many days
in the dark, and I must say I reached

a point of mind where I could think
of nothing but the odd sexuality of
the sisters; forgive me, but it's true:

the rustling of their habits, the purity
of their faces -- the younger ones I should
say -- and the way they seek to appear

as androgynous . . . there in the dark,
these women became quite alluring,
as though making love to them would

bring me nearer to God, but it's true: every
man wants to think the act of sex is a carnal
act enabling a comprehension of infinity,

a religious endeavor, a passion, and if
this is so, just imagine what fruits these
dear nuns would bear, just imagine . . .

but I was crazy, this was me at my most
insane, and in the end, the only thing I gave
these good nuns was my great gratitude.

So forgive me, I simply sat in the dark
far too long.