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Walking With My Mother Past Ursuline Convent and Orphanage

Walking With My Mother Past Ursuline Convent and Orphanage (Camp Street)

she remembered
 
meals eaten in silence
agar jelly dessert, the bitterness of seaweed
washed down with milk

rounders with the girls –
the clack of the bat connecting with the ball
exhilaration running the bases 

later in the dorm Sister Mary Alphonse
called an early silence 
(to quell excitement ?)

daily chapel - once for mass, twice for prayers 
standing, kneeling behind
the black wall of nuns

praying for love
and sardine sandwiches 
her mother used to make
 
secrets with lovely Peggy
whose despair became unbearable -
surely God forgave her

longing for love, a husband,  children 
someone to need her
to start living

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 9/5/2017 9:56:00 PM
A very stirring piece Kathy, slowed me as I was drawn to walk with them...
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Date: 9/4/2017 11:53:00 PM
This is so moving and descriptive, Kathy! Congrats. Janice
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Date: 9/4/2017 10:41:00 AM
Nice avatar cousin.
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