Catechism

Catechism

 

I want to learn you like a prayer

clasp my hands together like they taught me

or feel the familiar fingerprint of The Good Book

and recite the words strong enough

to grant me forgiveness.

I want my knees to be sore from the practice

until you’re second nature

and the mere thought of you carries

the smell of incense and

the echo of a wise man’s voice

 

but then again, I don’t.

 

I’d rather speak you like a speech I haven’t practiced

tripping blindly over you

with words like marbles in my mouth

turning quick corners

on sentences I’ve never read before

some mispronunciations

and words I couldn’t translate

and accents put where accents shouldn’t be

mistakes so genuine

they couldn’t be more true

Reviews

[....................]

There is a delicate balance in knowing all things too quickly and taking time to learn them through genuine interactions. I love the two worlds you have created in this piece, Rubie, and am a fan of religious metaphors. Oh, I am personally a fan of fumbling my way through a relationship and learning all the good things through the myriad of mistakes I am always bound to make. Well-done!

[rubie]

Your review made me smile as I read it. We all fumble through relationships, I think. No matter how many relationships we have, with each new one there is another opportunity to learn from our mistakes.

[....................]

Yes, so true!

[steppenwolf]

I love the passion in this. In the first part--the desire to know a loved one in every way--reminds me of young love. Although, anyone of any age could feel this way.

[rubie]

Thank you for taking the time to read and review my work. Yes, when love is new, it seems as if we cannot get our fill

[Fabian G. Franklin]

" Behold, I make all things new." And that must be the reason God never dies from boredom. (smile) Devotion is hardly ever found in newness except in the excitement of exploration. Which is why I am so devoted to learning; there's always something new to learn and I never grow tired of exploring new worlds and words. This was wonderful in its seemingly contradictory duplicity. I could relate it to man's efforts to discern the Divine nature but the metaphor is obvious.

[rubie]

Please accept my apologies for this long-overdue acknowledgement to your wonderful comment. I've been on a bit of a hiatus from writing poetry and haven't visited the site much lately. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Thanks for the read...

[john alan willox]

Jacob suggested I give you a read and I am really glad he did. This is wonderful! love the two dimensions and the lovely imagery "mistakes so genuine" indeed could not be more true. Keep writing - thanks.

[rubie]

Thank you for your kind review. Both you and dear jacob are too kind! Hoping to write more soon....my muse is MIA more often than not. I appreciate you visiting my writing!!

[Rita L. Sev]

This is a great piece; makes me think of the yearning for God, who is so elusive; also for a love, when we are awkward and unsure. "I’d rather speak you like a speech I haven’t practiced..." great line! Well done!

[R. L. Ives]

Interesting read. Familiarity is comfort but in the same vein, familiarity can breed contempt.

[rubie]

Definitely. It is a double-edged sword. Thank you for taking the time to read my writing. I appreciate your comments

[jacob erin-cilberto]

can i learn you without the "church" part?

the prayer yes,

well you know i like this metaphor bunches...any religious references...they work so well into pieces...especially when it isn't done to be preachy.

i like this.

third stanza almost reminds me of the King's Speech.

[rubie]

Thanks for your kind comments, jacob. Yes, interesting how that stanza brings the King's Speech to mind, and this was before I ever saw the movie!