Catherine Chandler's Poetry Blog

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Madison Street: Robbie Bennett

 




 




Our little world had its share of tragedies, too.

Robbie Bennett

 

The Bennetts lived just half a block away.

When Father Flynn came knocking on their door

one sweltering August afternoon, we knew

for sure this wasn’t just another day.

Their restless eldest boy had joined the Corps,

his visits back home tense and short and few;

the other one, the timid younger son,

was hiking at the tubs near Laurel Run.

He’d lost his footing on a boulder wet

with algae; others said he took a dare.

None of us will ever quite forget

that feral keen sent ripping through the air,

our monstrous mix of respite and regret

as Father Flynn led all of us in prayer.

 

 

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