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Open Poetry #42
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First Communion
| Open Poetry #42 |
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First Communion |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
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We’re in second grade. We gotta go get special structions down the basement Saint Michael’s Church, so we can take first communion with the kids going Saint Michael’s School. We go to public school, where they call us cat lickers, which really sucks because we have to hit them when they call us that and some, are big and mean. Mom says we gotta hit them anyway or we’ll go to hell when we die. Mom says I have to “Defend the faith against Protestants or any type of heathen that might make fun of Holy Mother Church.” We’re a little lucky though cause the kids going to Saint Michael’s get hit all the time we hear about it in public school we get hit too but not like at Saint Michael’s. School’s not much fun anywhere. Sister Walburga’s our teacher. She’s all right and very old she talks nice to us doesn’t get mad when we make mistakes practicing taking Holy Communion. She tells us it’s the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It really is you know. Tells us all about the miracle of TRANSUBSTANIATION and makes us learn to spell the word. Sister gets us ready for first confession, where we have to tell Father John all the nasty stuff we’ve done since we were born. She tells us to make a list, write it down, and take it with us when we go confession Friday afternoon, before our first holy communion. Sister takes us up the Church so’s we can tell Father John what we did. Fred’s the first to go in the booth, he doesn’t seem too worried comes out and walks out of the Church as cool as ever. Nothing ever bothers Fred. Charlie, our black friend goes in next comes out in a little while smiling says “It’s okay.” Ralph goes in next, he’s in there a long time, comes out crying, runs out the Church. I think, “Whoa, Jesus Christ Ralph, what the hell did you do anyway?” Maybe I should just get up and leave now. I’m next to go sit the booth, Father John sits behind the little latticed door. After Ralph coming out like that, I’m as nervous as hell. I tell Father John about swearing at Mom, he says that’s a bad thing to do, I must never do it again. Then I tell him about stealing money from Ralph’s Mom’s change purse when she has me over to eat. He says that’s bad too, he doesn’t want me to steal from people that are trying to be nice. Then I tell him about how I sometimes get hungry, steal apples, and bananas from Mr. Schmitt’s fruit stand. He says that not too bad that I have an obligation to take care of the body that God gave me. I think he’s softening up, so I tell him about that time with the man in the garage, what he did to me. I tell him all about it. He makes some noise back there, says “Holy Mother of God.”, and then doesn’t say anything for a while. Finally, he tells me I didn’t do anything bad. All the sin was on the man, it wasn’t my fault at all. He mentions something about millstones around the bad man’s neck that I don’t quite catch. Father John asks if there is anything else, I want to tell him. “No” He tells me God forgives my sins. I have to go say three hail Marys and one Our Father for my penance, because I swore at my Mother, and stole money from Ralph’s Mom. Then he asks me to pray for him. I feel better and relieved, like a new person. Some of those things had worried me for a long time, but I’m Ok now. Sunday morning, Mom gets me all scrubbed up, decks me out in shiny new shoes and socks, white pants, and a brand new white shirt. She’s been saving her money from tips. She gives me a Rosary to hold between my hands, and trots me off to Mass with the rest of the kids. After Mass, Mom takes me over to Ralph’s place with Fred and Charlie. We have a party with cake and soda. We can eat now. I’m pure and holy, and feel about as good as I’ve ever felt about myself. Bobby |
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| © Copyright 2008 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I am glad you were able to tell someone about what happened to you, Bobby. I think maybe that was a kind of therapy that helped you to become the man you are today. Ida |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Some of your poetry hurts to read - but I believe it is important to write and talk and read about things that sometimes hurt - I am glad that the priest was kind. I am glad that you have (and had) your church. A |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
Don't know if this is autobiographical or not. Don't care. Doesn't matter. The balance of the mundane and the unthinkable equals one powerful piece. Been admiring your work for some time, and occasionally, not often enough, expressing same. Your ability to work in the vernacular and the compression, especially in the Felix pieces, is amazing. I don't know what anyone might make of you if reading for the first time. I do know that hitting the "find poems" and spending a few hours with you provides a great insight into craft and power. Best, Jim Aitken |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...James |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Sigh, Bobby!! Can't even tell how much this one touches me ... I'm kind of "stuck" because of the memories this brought. Thank you. Love, Margherita  |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Everyone said it all! Bobby..  ARCTIC WIND |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Powerful writing. I still think you need to put them in a book. Joyce |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Ida, Yes, that’s the nice thing about what is now called “The Sacrament of Reconciliation”. It cleans out a lot of garbage. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Alison, Thanks for the kind comments. The Church has always done a lot for me. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Dear Jim Aitken, That's one of the nicest comments I've ever gotten for my work. Yes, this piece is autobiographical, as are a lot of my other writings. Thanks for your kind words. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
James, Thanks for your kind words. I'm happy that you like it. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Dear Margherita, I hope this did not bring up bad memories for you. Thanks for letting me know it touched you. Love Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Dear Artic Wind, I'm very pleased that you liked this piece. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Joyce, Thanks for the kind words. This one is basically the same as one in my first book "City Boy Stays Alive". Bobby |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
I read this before in `City Boy Stays Alive`. ---- I remember my first confession and how I cried after it was over. I also remember my Ma telling me that if I died at that moment that I would go straight to Heaven. |
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