When we visited Lourdes
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.