holy water

on easter, the local
church. st. Bernadette's,
is full.
packed to the brim
with repentant souls,
guilt ridden members,
who haven't been
since Christmas.
they are neat
and clean decked out in
spring splendor.
the polished shoes,
the hats, and gloves.
the pretty dresses,
like flowers caught
in the breeze.
the traffic is horrendous.
two cops
in squad cars with
their party lights
on, direct the cars
in and out with
the pinkish bloom
of flares.
they run out of holy
water by the third mass
and so the priest,
fast thinking brings around
the lawn hose, blesses
it and puts it on
spray, giving the crowd
a happy loving dose.