Fay rubs her
rosary
between thumb
and finger
the black beads
holding prayers
but she thinks
they also
bring comfort
to her heart
usually
when her dad
loses it
and hits out
because she'd
forgotten
the Latin
of the Creed
mispronounced
Latin prayers
Baruch said
(the Jew boy
from downstairs)
your old man
doesn't know
the essence
of his faith
just the shell
of it all
Baruch said
God was one
for each and all
for the big
and the small
for the good
and the bad
for the wise
and the fool
her father
doesn't like
young Baruch
and forbids
her to talk
or see him
but she does
and meets him
secretly
for their talks
and their walks
in the park
at the old
cinema
Fay puts her
rosary
in the small
cloth pocket
of her dress
her fingers
leaving there
the small but
special prayer.
Mar 28, 2014
Mar 28, 2014 at 4:38 AM UTC
Fay rubs her
rosary
between thumb
and finger
the black beads
holding prayers
but she thinks
they also
bring comfort
to her heart
usually
when her dad
loses it
and hits out
because she'd
forgotten
the Latin
of the Creed
mispronounced
Latin prayers
Baruch said
(the Jew boy
from downstairs)
your old man
doesn't know
the essence
of his faith
just the shell
of it all
Baruch said
God was one
for each and all
for the big
and the small
for the good
and the bad
for the wise
and the fool
her father
doesn't like
young Baruch
and forbids
her to talk
or see him
but she does
and meets him
secretly
for their talks
and their walks
in the park
at the old
cinema
Fay puts her
rosary
in the small
cloth pocket
of her dress
her fingers
leaving there
the small but
special prayer.
CATHOLIC GIRL AND JEWISH BOY IN LONDON IN 1950S
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