Right After The Bell

The Baltimore Catechism,

mornings at eight

Sister Marcella,

don’t ever be late

Its message didactic,

the devil to run

Each question, each answer,

with God zero-sum

Who and what made me,

and why every day

Resistance was futile,

dissent not displayed

An altar boy’s memories,

his sacristy torn

Still missing the process

—where freedom was born

(Saint Thomas of Villanova Chapel: December, 2021)