Memory of Baptism

[Larry]

NOTE: I recycled "Sermon" into this one, although I'll still probably keep it. I know, another religious one, but it's for highschool, so mercy!
Fire away.


after she gave birth
my mother took me to be born

to a hospital of pews
and not beds
frankincense instead
of disinfectants
and bent statuettes
which crowded solemn walls
marking the absence of
hanging PHDS
or any trace of
medical machinery.

but the doctor did wear
a traditional white
and in the april light
that leaked through
the stained glass windows
he looked like id imagine
a ghost would
nearly transparent
in the purifying sun

my parents spoke only
"lawrence, lawrence"
to him, and he smiled
above his folded palms
before opening them in water
and blessing me...
that's the extent
of my memory.