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Photograph by Donna Marie
Bergeniao 11/11/2003
A Thought for Today
The sounds that break the silence are the ones we never
hear.
THE WEEKEND WATCH
CHRISTMAS WITH THE MASSES /
The 1961 Christmas Card
I spent Christmas with a
cinder in my eye,
watching a priest eat a hot dog on Sixth
Avenue
between masses.
Fifth had store windows
with imitation trees and imitation holly
and imitation women walked on the arms
of men with imitation smiles.
My mother gave me five saints’ names
in hopes I’d be protected
but the enemy’s so silent
I wouldn’t know him if he came.
Smitten by the robber or the robber’s smile
I’d most likely turn the other
cheek.
Like hell I would.
But forgive me my trespasses
they’ve been few this year
(unless you count the time
I crossed Sixth Avenue against the light
In order that I might be blessed
between the mustard and the relish.)
-from “The Twelve Years of Christmas,” 1969
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