REQUIEM FOR A MOTHERLESS CHILD
Hallelujah….. Hallelujah…..Hallelujah
Leaning on the somewhat-padded kneelers
is a family lined horizontal to the father.
This is as close as they’ve been to each
other since the last show was put on. The
first act is always the same. Smiling faces,
awkward embraces with peace be with you’s.
The daughter distracts herself by etching
“help,” on the pew. The wood’s softness
clumps underneath her fingernails.
Mother Mary calm our fears, have mercy.
Trying not to air her grief and weakness.
She breathes in dust and exhales demons.
Residual holy water pools with nervous
sweat. Lingering on mother’s tongue is
the taste of this morning’s threat.
Here I am lord. Is it I lord?
Smells of fresh cut grass circles through
the open stained glass windows. Relief
from the heat of catholic shame and 90°
weather. Cracks and creaks of wood and
aged bodies end the mass. Time to genuflect
rather than genuinely reflect on their
family’s hellish days. And all that’s left for
the little one to do, is listen to the final
hymn. Requiem for a motherless child.
I kneel with all right across the globe, I kneel in solidarity
i stand with all the kneelers and I do it with some clarity
As a national flag is just coloured cloth designed to divide and rule
Indoctrination starts when you're young, vulnerable and still at school
This continues into the workplace and at sporting events too
Well I'll kneel for freedom where the flag once flew
Freedom of speech is what it's all about
So I'll stand with all the kneelers to give freedom a shout
As the colours of this flag are just a sign of imperialism
The mark of an invader, the mark of materialism
A fake patriotism that's forced upon you
Well I'll kneel for freedom where the flag once flew
To be persecuted for not standing to attention
Is for the whole world to see and is up for contention
As signs of fascism and hate are all around for us to see
So freedom of speech is what we must guarantee
Well I refuse to stand for the flag that is red white and blue
But I will kneel for freedom where the flag once flew
Strength of serve, or length of pools?
Don't even argue - you won't win.
Eight balls an over? Just give in.
No point fighting Aussie Rules.
Accommodating? Yeah, like mules.
Amenable to consultation?
Better save your respiration.
Aussies play by Aussie Rules.
What of cute romantic duels?
If you'd like to talk to Sheilas,
got to get down on your kneelers.
One thing works - that's Aussie Rules.
You want to argue? Hide sharp tools.
What's give-and-take? What's by-your-leave?
She'll have a hammer up her sleeve.
Blood's often drawn in Aussie Rules.
This bird won't suffer whinging fools.
No Metternich, no Franz Von Papen,
it's HER way, or it doesn't happen.
Three syllables, mate - Aussie Rules.
When am I supposed to Stand, Kneel, Bow Sit Etc.?
The celebration of Mass not confined to our minds
Hearts
Voices is means to involve our bodies as well
Each gesture is significant
Has meaning.
Standing: Standing is a sign of respect and honor, so we stand when
the celebrant-representing Christ (the priest) enters and leaves. We
also stand for the Gospel, and the bishops of our country have chosen
standing as the gesture we adapt when receiving the Eucharist (the
sacred body of Christ).
Kneeling: In the early days of the Church, kneeling has been the
gesture of penance (reparation[confession]). More recently has come
to show adoration. Thus, we kneel for the Eucharistic prayer except St. Andrew Catholic Church where we stand because we have no kneelers (except in the chapel).
Sitting: We sit for the pre-Gospel readings and the homily in a gesture
of listening & meditation and during announcements after past
communion prayer