GIFT TO A NUN 1959.

A BOY AND GIRL AND A NUN ON THE BEACH IN 1959

Hey Kid
where did you put
the johnny?

the what?
Benny said

the condom
you picked up
from the beach
the thing you thought
was a darn fish

o that
it's in my pocket
the Kid said
as he wheeled Anne
along the path
from the beach
in her wheelchair

the other kids
were walking back
to the nursing home
with the nuns  

Sister Paul passed by
and looked at Anne
well did you see
anything of interest?

no not really
Anne said

well some
of the children
found shells
and seaweed
and a small crab
the nun said

o that's good
Anne said

and the nun walked on

hey Kid
pass me the johnny

Benny took
the condom
from his trouser pocket
and put it in
Anne's hand

she looked at it
and screwed up
her nose

what's it for?
Benny asked

no need to know Kid
just wheel me
by the nun there

so Benny wheeled
the chair by Sister Paul

hey Sister Paul
Anne said
can I tell you something?

I guess you can
the nun said
and leaned down
towards Anne
in the wheelchair
her black habit
touching the chair
what is it my child?

Anne looked at the nun
with her Miss Innocent face
and placed the condom
in the nun's large
side pocket unseen

and said
what do you call a fish
that looks like Sister Agnes?

I have no idea
the nun said

a trout
Anne said straight-faced

that's not kind Anne
God expects better from you
and the nun walked
on ahead
shaking her head

let's see her talk
herself out of that
Anne said

Benny pushed on
and watched
as Anne’s one leg
jogged up and down
over the uneven path
but all Anne could do
was laugh.