Ancient Artifacts

By JR Jurzynski

    Vox populi, vox Dei, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

    “Dominus vobiscum.” A front-row seat every Sunday morning, 11 o’clock mass. Proud people. Saturday matinee was sacrilege. The transition from Latin to English, the “New Mass,” proved a struggle for the aging Father S—ski, transmuted between the former and latter, separated by repetition, “er, er, er.”

    The Sunday morning ritual was within walking distance; the directive from the dominant matriarchal pant-wearer went without opposition due to the alternative, wrath. The enforcer, subservient, cowardly against her will, followed. Out of fear, the unfed succulents adhered.

    No swimming for a half-hour after eating, no eating for an hour before the mass; the mandatory breakfast was finished by 10. Bacon rendered crisp, the liquefied residue was drawn off with a baster and set aside for over-easy; “our daily bread,” popping fresh with a smatter of oleo.  The reward? Tantamount chronic congestion of arterial lace.

    A family is characteristic of a structure; the foundation is laid by various experiences and supports the first floor. Although the first floor appears to be sound, the supporting foundation may have misplaced or damaged stones. On the first floor, the impressionable are impressed. One or any number of levels rise above the first floor. In the rising levels above, any misplaced or damaged stones of the foundation perpetuate effects. On the surface, hairline cracks become fissures; plaster shards fall away, the underlying unmasked, revealing the result, not its cause. The habituation is attended to by applying daub and whitewash, and the divested restored to its makeshift condition. Atop the structure bequeathed to the attic, ancient artifacts lie.

    In preparation for mass, the bully would barb, the bullied pent. Sophie Z hosted. The static pop, hiss, and crackle of Polka hour played on. The audience sat aware; Sophie’s “two/four?” Or?

    “Ite, Missa est.”

    “Er, er, er.”

    “Benedícat vos omnípotens Deus, Pater, er, er, er the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”

    “Same time next week, Mr. J—ski?”

    “We will continue our work on the foundation.”                                                                          #