A priest at the church’s aisle wears black,
welcoming boys and girls wearing white.
The priest’s black cassock makes a counterpoint
at boys’ suits, short pants and knee socks,
girls’ dresses, veils and gloves; a full display
of rich splendid whites.
They arrive holding in hands lighted candles
and small (white) prayer books, lucent faces
shining more than the candles, yet more than
some big full-lighted ceiling chandeliers.
A touching image of former times, happy ones,
the celebration of a First Holy Communion,
testimony of pure minded a children’s faith.
Then, life ran simply, giving us fewer choices,
like only black phones and only white fridges,
along with dear black and white films and photos.
Moreover, time to encounter enduring lovers,
who confront life disillusions, jointly reaching,
so many years ahead,
colorful and unsettled contemporaneous days.
Published in West Ward Quarterly, printed 2016 Winter issue.
edilsonmeloferreira 