before i thought of religion
i thought of these things
how the river had risen
filled up the flood plain;
sun shone off water in one spot
rest of the pond still ice
a dull delicate grey;
how my dog hides his bone
in the corner of the living room
carefully sweeping his nose
as if he were covering it
with invisible dirt
before i heard the reports
of the pope's imminant death
in the background
slow chanting in latin
i hadn't thought much of the pope
quantitatively
before i go on i admitt
this might get a little bit messy
like sensory overload spring
and catholic guilt
the pontif, the vicar, and my mom
kneeling then standing then repeat
forever and ever amen
slow creaking of the church floor
under the congregation's feet
waiting to receive the holy host
these things stored like the spelling of my name
the word catholic means universal
i haven't believed in years
the pope is dying in tradition
prayers of the faithful surround
i heard at the end
they will call his name three times
wait for an answer
before they pronounce
the pope is dead
before i draw any conclusions
i wonder for the humblest reason
in thinking about this man dying
if i might be jealous of his faith
Posts
