Speaking in Tongues
Every Tuesday night for two years a small group of us
meet in the basement of the priest’s rectory.
It seems as though we’re undercover
as most of the traditional church doesn’t join us.
We learn how to be Charismatic Catholics
and read the Bible faithfully
not just the catechism book, and to believe
in spiritual gifts, like speaking in tongues
and being slain in the spirit.
Several of my friends begin to speak in tongues.
I worry that somehow I’m not worthy of this gift.
One afternoon, I sit on my bed with my tape recorder
since I have begun to utter strange syllables,
and I want to know if I actually received this gift,
or is it just my imagination?
I speak into the recorder to see how it sounds,
and it jams, so I shut it off.
Oh ye of little faith, if it’s meant to happen it will.
Later, at my son’s birthday party all the little cousins
go upstairs and find my recorder.
I’m unaware until they join us at the table.
I feel my face redden, when my niece announces,
We heard some lady speaking in another language.
*
Barbara Eknoian work has appeared in Pearl, Chiron Review, Cadence Collective, Redshift and Silver Birch Press’s anthologies. Her newest poetry book More Jerkumstances, New and Selected Poems, was recently published by Moon Tide Press. She lives in La Mirada, CA with daughter, grandson, two dogs, and two cats (one mild and the other full of mischief). There is never a dull moment.
Barbara! Turns out that you speak poetry instead!
Love this anecdote, Barbara!