MASS AT LA MATRICE (THE MOTHER CHURCH)

Zia Antonia was proud
to show me off at
the eleven o’clock mass
at the mother church of San Pier Niceto

I walked on her arm
she a half century older
in her kerchief and Sunday flowered dress
I wore the chapel veil she gave me
and an embroidered dress from France

on the way to church
we passed men lounging at the bar
and caught up to the women
who told me my grandmother
taught them the times tables
               how were my parents in America?
               did I like the village?
               wasn’t my aunt strong and vigorous for her age?

inside the church
                marble, mosaics, tiles, and stuccoed walls
                so much cooler than the street
we lit candles to the Madonna
I followed my aunt to her usual seat

I didn’t know the words
                 to the songs she sang

I prayed in English in my head.

Maria Fama