Seán Walsh: New Leaf
NEW LEAF
A priest from the Redemp’trists
gave us the School Retreat
at the beginning of Lent.
Hell or Heaven for starters,
then the limitless mercy of God…
Frank Muldoon hasn’t cursed since
and you wouldn’t know Gerry Crosby,
he’s changed that much…
And I went to him for confession.
Behind a screen in a classroom
in the Primary …
Uptight I was going down on the kneeler
but he wasn’t the same at all
as when we were all together in the Hall
and he was telling us from the stage
that it only took one mortal sin…
So I was a new pin coming away…
Though I thought my turn would never come –
the lad before me was in with him for ages,
whatever was up…
By the end of the three days I was walking on air
on my way home through the town –
dark, rainswept, dismal –
but how was I to know? Wasn’t I in Heaven!
One hand in a coat pocket,
fingering the beads,
and me singing me heart out
but so low no one could hear…
Heart of Jesus, Heart of Jesus,
Burning with love for me
Inflame my heart, inflame my heart
with love… with love of Thee…
And he did, to be sure he did!
Inflame my heart…
Burnt into my very soul.
Lifted, I was. On fire!
A flame – oh, a furnace!
And then… Then?.. Ah-hh…
Adolescence…