My great fear is that daily mass
Is ruining me:
Corrupting me from the inside, and
To the core.

Instead of eating and drinking the Body and Blood
Of the Christ,
I go through a routine,
Like changing the oil of my truck, or
Getting my hair cut at Super Cuts.

My great fear is
That I go through the motions
Of eating and drinking, while
My mind stays miles away; relaxing
On the sand at St. Maxime,
The young women so proud of their breasts; relaxing
On the sand at Palavas,
The young men so proud of their young women's breasts; relaxing
On the sand at Cassis,
The young men and young women caressing--

And all the while the real and sacred Body and Blood
Are there: waiting for me to eat and drink.

---Jim Bolner, Sr.
November, 2000