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.