---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/book “Respect Our Existence or Expect Our Resistance” cc&d, v272 (the June 2017 issue - the 24 year anniversary issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the issue book Nothing Lasts the cc&d May-August 2017 collection book		get the 4 page May-August 2017 cc&d magazine issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Church Ritual

Carl “Papa” Palmer

Warm unmoving August air
miserable mid-morning mass
penalty   penance   punishment
for drinking sneaked rectory wine.
Entire summer   every Saturday
every Sunday    sitting   kneeling
same front left pew   hands folded
holding plastic rosary   pocket bible
wearing only owned suit   blue wool
white cotton shirt   starched   scratchy
itchy   sweaty   too tight   too hot
topped with one of dads clip-on ties
perpetual smell of faded dying flowers
overly perfumed blue haired women
acrid smoky yellow odorous incense
unfocused eyes daydreaming downward.
Alerted as I feel mothers close inspection
hear her familiar forced tsk tsking sigh
unsnapping the red leatherette handbag
releasing familiar aroma mix   cloves
menthol cigarettes   smelling salts
Black Jack caffeine chewing gum
pink dust of cracked compact powder
rattle of keys   coins   cellophane
as she locates the least wadded tissue
wets a clean corner with nicotine spit
tries to wipe that newest brown freckle
from my blushing sunburned cheek.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...