“Wayback Machine”
The photo on facebook
Was labeled as “Wayback Machine”
It was a group photo
Of the Choir at some
Ancient catholic school
I went to as a child.
Posted by Lou Gould.
The group of the choir
Is of children, were we
That really young or
Small as well?
Don’t remember a group photo
Of the Altar Boys ever being taken.
Ashame not to be able to see
Myself as so young and small
And wearing the best dress
Of White Cassock and
Red Cape, Gloves, starched Collar
And red silk bow. How Formal!
Standing on the main staircase
Of Saint Joan of Arc in
Philly is a revelation to me.
The staircase does not seem
As wide as memory would
Have me believe.
Atop many steps of many
Boys in Black Cassocks
And White Surpluses
Are the eighth graders
Attired in White Cassock
And Red Cape.
The Altar Boys also wore
White and red on
Special occasions. Easter,
Christmas, Bishop’s visit.
And the pastor used to
Whistle through his teeth
And he spoke and gave
Homilies.
And “Spongy”, Sister Sponsa Regis,
In charge of the altar boys.
Her favorite line to the Altar Boys
Who got too rowdy in the changing
Room was “You are convenient but
Not necessary” for the service
About to start. Silence. Dead
Silence. Got us every time.
The school is closed now
Designed by George Audsley,
A renaissance man by any
Standard. 11 Broadway,
St Joan of Arc and the
Wanamaker Organ. What
A mind!
Memory to refresh, reboot
Sometimes to see a final
Perspective. A lot of eyeglasses
On a lot of kids in a
Crowded picture.
Memories don’t remember
Sometimes until one sees
The facts, the photo, the past.
Amen.
