HOUR 12
WHEN WE VISITED LOURDES
We visited Lourdes (France),
like all devout Catholics,
to ask for favors.
Our girls were two and one.
The younger one had a milk allergy,
and drank protein milk,
which resulted in poop
of the foulest odor.
We arrived late for the only mass
In English.
We entered the crowded church,
with two strollers, two toddlers
and myriad backpacks and bags.
The faithful were determined
not to let us through.
We were as determined to
make our way,
into their midst.
We settled on the floor
amidst glowering looks
which we ignored.
Then Natasha decided to unload.
The dreadful smell reached the rafters
and settled on the believers.
We couldn’t pretend it wasn’t us,
not after the sounds Natasha made.
When we stood up to leave,
the crowd parted like the Red Sea.
We were out in the fraction
of the time we went in.
The way this poem builds is so good, so funny, and so memorable. Kids make the most “interesting” things happen sometimes.
Thank you for the comment. We still laugh about that day in Lourdes! I’m glad you thought it was funny too.
So funny … and sad at the same time. To go all that way and not be able to stay. Of course, traveling with a one and two year old is a braver thing than I would have ever done. I didn’t want to take my daughter to our parish church until she was well out of the diaper stage.
Nice job.
This poem is humorous and with the poet, honest.
“The dreadful smell reached the rafters
and settled on the believers.” I could form the imagery of fiery tongues during the Festival of Pentecost on each participants head.
Well done!
We hope that just the effort got us points with the almighty!
Thank you for reading my poem.
Served them right. They should have left. Obviously you needed the miracle! I hope she outgrew the allergy or stopped drinking protein milk.
Ha ha, yes we did need the miracle you know what – we got it! Natasha outgrew both the lactose intolerance and celiac disease (gluten allergy) when she was three. We got points for trying..
so true when traveling with toddlers- something I could never do! kudos.
Yes, bless their hearts…But we traveled everywhere in Europe with them. We are gluttons for punishment!