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Vestments
| Open Poetry #15 |
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Vestments |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion 
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Vestments My first clear memory of the influence of Catholicism was a rainy day in the fall of first grade. I was supposed to walk home, like I had every school day since September. Days had been clear and hot, sweat traced lines down my stiff, white uniform shirt, smothered by a ruby, wool jumper. On this particular day, it rained, a hard, pummeling rain, the sky dark by late afternoon. I stood on the corner between church and school, debating directions. It just didn’t look familiar in this atmosphere, so I did what any first grader would, I cried. I went inside the vestibule to dry (eyes and clothes), seeking help, but I was alone. Votive candles cast a low, amber glow, while the deluge pounded windy hymns on the old tile roof. I walked down the carpeted aisle to the wooden altar (did not genuflect), averting my eyes from the Stations of the Cross painted on both walls. I always chose a seat on the least gory side, the part before the crucifixion. Spooky statues turned, watched my wanderings, Mother Mary and Baby Jesus were flanked by emerald banners that spoke of ordinary times. Beyond the sound of the rain, silence, foreign to a six-year old. The mother of a boy in my class who had seen me on the steps, came to my rescue and drove me home. A couple of years later, the same woman brought my brother home from St. Brigid’s, his vest of purity resembling the Mass of the Precious Blood, after his head met with a metal lunch box wielded by her son. © 2001 Corinne Bailey |
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| © Copyright 2001 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Ahh, and believe it or not, an alter boy I was, so enjoyed your wandering thoughts here, Cor, hon...very gentle smile |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Powerfully vivid, wonderfully related...except...I want to know how your brother was. |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
You are a true story teller sweet poet. You write your life on this canvous and share us your memories.  Parker |
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Waseem Cheema Member
since 2001-03-16
Posts 369Pakistan |
Corinee it is very intersting story .....thanx for sharing |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
Ahh, Cor, You make something I'm very curious about even more interesting. Your descriptions and thoughts are enjoyable. |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
Nicely told... I enjoyed |
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RMW Senior Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 1424 |
Good. |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
The irony and the motif of religious imagery have not escaped my eye, they serve to make this a more powerful piece. Excellently woven Corinne. "Here I am in prison,here I am with a ball and chain There is whiskey in the jar-o" Traditional irish song. |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
How I related to this. I had that same jumper, went to Catholic grade school and high school, could almost feel myself walking in that church with you. Yes, oh yes, I know about this feeling and the candles...thank you for this one, Corinne. |
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