Requiem for a Motherless Child
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.
Copyright © brook pet | Year Posted 2024
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