The Widow at the Piano: Poems by a Distracted Catholic

The aging woman playing the piano at church may look saintly, but her mind is busy wondering things like what's under the priest's robes and why Jesus didn't invite the women to join him. Also, when someone faints in the Communion line, should she keep playing? All the while, she is playing, singing, and directing the choir, hoping that she's on the same verse as everyone else. The Widow at the Piano takes readers on a journey through the distracted mind of the music minister who has recently lost her husband to Alzheimer's disease and whose only nearby family is the church family at Sacred Heart Church in Newport, Oregon. These poems look at the challenges of leading small church choirs, traditional vs. modern church music, the role of women ministers in the male-dominated Catholic Church, faith vs. practical concerns, and life behind the scenes at Mass, with an honest blend of reverence and irreverence from a writer who has always felt not quite Catholic enough.

"Reminiscent of Jan Karon's Mitford Series, this collection of poetry highlights the goodness and foibles of a committed woman of faith with humor and steadfastness." Rachel Barton, editor, Willawaw Journal

"Sassy, yearning, and bittersweet, Sue Fagalde Lick's oh-so-human conversations with God and with herself--part prayer, part challenge, part confession--offer a refreshing new take on the theme of the spiritual quest." Ingrid Wendt, Oregon Book Award recipient, author of Evensong

"Her dog has to pee, her pantyhose are migrating, and Jesus might be trying to sell her a vacuum cleaner. Lick's strength as a poet comes from her courageous honesty and her ability to go from raw emotion to the perfect funny detail on a dime." Nancy Vieira Couto, poetry editor of Epoch, two-time NEA fellowship recipient

"A touch of humor, a touch of grief. A touch of bawdy, a touch of intimate. A touch of religious, a touch of reverent. Put all of these together and you get one wonderful and satisfying read." Kathie Giorgio, author, If You Tame Me