[Fiction] Vera’s Order of Prayer for the Rosary
Read the winning entry for our week of June 8 contest, Found Document
Vera’s Order of Prayer for the Rosary
by
The Rosary begins with the cross, I am set on the path of atonement.
Apostles Creed, to gather my thoughts and restir to the righteous path of belief.
First is Our Father, he used to ring the bells of the Church. The stairs were wooden, but his bare feet never caught any splinters. My sister and I waited for him each Sunday to come with sweet cakes other villagers left as alms at the cemetery gate.
Then three Hail Mary’s, for my mother, who dropped dead only one day after my father’s passing: a sign of true love. She lays buried on the hill, next to him, away from the others.
Glory be to the Priest who took me under his arm and let me sing and cook. He never but once raised his hand. I often heard him cough at night and I was afraid he would choke.
Fatima prayer; usually skipped. Portugal is too far.
Then to begin with the mysteries. Careful to not lose track of counting:
One for all the years spent in the parish, one for the harshness of abstinence, one for the misstep of sweet wine on my lips, one for my trembling hand misplacing kaymac in the pancakes, one for Thursday’s tears watching lustful dance programming on TV, one for the seed of doubt, one for Jesus’s love - I kept myself for him.
Alternate with Hail Mary’s and Our Father, as desired.
Conclude with Hail Holy Queen, for she will wait for me in heaven and open the door to all.
A few extra prayers at the end can be said for the Pope, the President and, for Saint Elijah, my saint, may his rain and thunder wash away any trance of hand tremors, incoherent speech, memory loss, and bile aftertaste.
A Note From Our Guest Judge,
This piece shimmers with poetic language and trenchant, emotionally resonant images. The brilliant use of the form of the Rosary manages to convey an entire life, in all its specificity and wonderful ordinariness, in a way that wouldn’t be possible without that scaffolding.
About
I am a young Romanian woman learning to navigate life in Western Europe. At work, I am an economist researching firms. In my free time, I enjoy a good read and a drink with my friends.
This piece was written in response to the prompt Found Document.
 | A guest post by
|
Brava! The economy of words, the depth of prose, the form of poetry, the vagaries of life, faith, death all woven so beautifully together.
The Rosary. A brilliant format in which to tell a story. Very clever. And filled with emotion.