ABOUT THE THINGY 1959

A BOY AND GIRL IN A NURSING HOME IN 1959 AND THE NUNS

Sister Paul came
across the lawn
of the nursing home
like a bull
in search of cows

her black habit flapping
like black wings

Anne was sitting
in her wheelchair
rubbing the stump
of her amputated leg

Benedict was watching

the nun stood over the girl
fuming at the nose
why did you do it?
the nun asked

Anne looked at the nun
do what?
Anne said

put that thing
in my habit pocket?

what thing?
Anne said
putting on her
Miss Innocent face

you know what thing
you put it there
the nun said angrily

the nun turned
to glare at Benedict
what did she
put in my pocket?
she asked him

go on Kid
Anne said
tell her I don't know
what the heck she's
talking about

the nun stared hard
at the boy
well Benedict?

Benedict looked at Anne
sitting there blank faced

thing?
he said
was it a sweet?

no it wasn't a sweet
the nun said

what was it?
Anne said
and why do you think
we would give
you anything?

the nun stared at the girl
sitting in the wheelchair
her stump showing
where the girl
at raised her red skirt

you put something horrible
in my habit pocket
the nun said
her voice hard

the boy looked at her
what was it?
he said

the nun stared at him
you know and if
you lie you will go
to Hell
she said

tell her you know
nothing about it Kid
Anne said

YOU WILL GO
TO HELL
the nun said loudly

kids on the swings
looked over
another nun
by the slide
stared over concerned

the boy stared at the nun
then at Anne
can you go to Hell
if you're not a Catholic?
the boy said

Anne said
what was it Sister Paul
that you are so
unhappy about?

you put a condom
in the pocket
of my habit
the nun said

a what?
the boy said

A CONDOM
the nun bellowed

the other nun walked over
to the place where Anne
and the boy
and Sister Paul were

what is all this shouting?
and such language Sister Paul
and in front of children
the nun said

Sister Paul sighed
and said in a whisper
to the other nun
what she had found
in her pocket and whom
she thought had put it there

both nuns looked
at the two children

well Benedict
what happened?
Sister Ambrose said

Anne looked at the boy
tell her Kid
tell her what you know

Benedict looked at the nun
was it a fish?
is that what she's saying

no not a fish
Sister Paul said
it was a condom

what's that?
the boy said

Sister Ambrose lead
Sister Paul away
by a gentle tug
of her sleeve
and the two nuns
walked back towards
the nursing home
in conversation

Anne looked at them go
then said
good question Kid

the boy nodded
and wondered about Hell
and gazed at the girl.