MARY'S BEANS OF SIN 1963

AN iRISH GIRL IN CONFESSIONS IN 1963

The old priest
toddles up the side aisle,
sways slightly side to side,
goes past Mary's chapel.

You watch him
from the pews
waiting for confession.

Old Mrs O'Connor's
next in line;
bet she'll be there
for a week or so.

You kneel down
on the knee rest
gaze at your knees.

The priest enters
the confessional,
closes the door;
silence.

Mrs O'Connor
lifts herself
from the pew,
wanders into
the confessional
closes the door
after her.

You sit back
on the pew.

The young priest
is down at the altar,
a nun helps him
fiddle with stuff.

Magdalene hasn't come.

What to say?
What not to say?
Bless me Father
I've been having it off
with Magdalene Murphy.

An old codger comes
into the pew,
kneels down
closes his eyes.

You sigh,
kneel down,
close your eyes,
put in a Pater Noster
and an Ave.

The door
of the confessional
opens,
the O'Connor bag
comes out.

It is you next,
so rise up,
go in, ready
to spill the beans
of sin.