Tale Of The Weeping Virgin (deleted stories)

The statue of the virgin wept
and down her marble cheek tears crept.
“A miracle!”, the priests proclaimed
and soon the weeping statues fame
spread far and wide around the globe;
scientists sought to poke and probe
and prove what trickled down her cheek
was no more than a simple leak.

The Vatican sent experts too
to certify it was a true
act of god, then people came,
the incurable sick and lame
lined up before that lachrymose
statue, jostling to get close
and touch her feet for they were sure
that, through her grace, they would be cured.

But then, to their surprise, she spoke
and said, “What’s wrong with all you folk.
You’ve watched me weep and weep all week;
seen these salt tears roll down my cheek;
your scientists have probed and poked
to prove my tears are not a hoax
and yet, though you all see my grief
not one’s offered a handkerchief”.