CRUCIFIED AND MARTHA 1963

AN IRISH GIRL AND THE CRUCIFIX TAKEN TO BED.

Martha takes the crucifix
(light wooden cross
and well crafted plaster Christ)
to bed with her

snuggles the Crucified
beneath blankets and sheet
looks at Him
strokes His nailed feet

kisses His nailed hands curled
and wonders if He will open
His eyes and stare at her
maybe search her out

and maybe say
keeping me warm counts
as a blessing
but He doesn't

His eyes half closed look down
His lips say nothing
the hands are warming
no longer cold from being left

in the box in the junk shop
as she snuggles down there
she whispers
have you heard that rumour

Mary Moran's been saying?
About Sister Lucy and Father Joseph?
Is it true?
She asks bringing the Crucified's head

close her lips
I mean You would know
if anyone does and well it is
doing the rounds in the girl's toilets

at the moment although
Da says not to listen to gossip
especially about nuns and priests
he says

but is it true?
She asks the Crucified
eyeing His eyes half closed
or open depending

how you look
He says nothing
just silence
except for her stomach rumbling

(she has given up supper for penance)
and by the way that boy
Jimmy O'Brien looks at me
kind of weird

the idjit
as if he'd something
on his mind
I’m not like Mary

with the boys
and touching and such
she kisses the crown
of thorns head

the plaster dark hair
the red lipsticked
Crucified clutched close
to her small breast

eyes half open or closed
at rest.