Confirmation
Fifty years ago today
on the island of Barbados
that smelled of rum and mangoes
running from wild dogs that scared me
climbing trees where I would be safe
(thanking God for His gift of life)
I'm having Confirmation lessons
in a small chapel made of wood
of the colonial Church of England
it's hot mid-summer, hot no fans
in the presence of beautiful black girls
dressed in best Sunday school white
I'm probably eight, they're so worldly
they radiate that little girl frenzy
nervous I'm the only white boy there
and they tease me, You so ma-lee-shus!
So fa-cee-shus! How you gwan get Hay-van?
Lord I didn't know, but they laughed so much
I just kept falling in love, they looked so pious.
That's pretty incredible to have those kind of memories!
ReplyDeleteYes, to be sometimes visited by such things. A gift repaid with a poem.
ReplyDeleteyour naivety and their worldliness, how gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful scene. Gift of memory. I felt I was with that little eight year old boy. Thank you!
ReplyDelete