Notre Dame de Purell

Notre Dame de Purell

A furore virus coronam libera nos, Domine

The holy water fonts have been withdrawn,
and in their places bottles of Purell.
Blessing ourselves with scented alcohol,
to remind us of baptismal promises.

For now, we must not shake each other’s hands.
Don’t kiss, don’t touch (don’t even breathe too much)
or receive Our Lord from the blessed Cup,
nor yet again receive Him on the tongue.

But still, not even a bishop can stop:

The pinchings exchanged by sisters and brothers
followed by futile shushings from their mothers!

 

Original Poetry