HER BAPTISM

HER BAPTISM

(For Marie Clementine)* 

Was it cold water poured on your head

that jolted you into a cranky howl?

Who dared break your noontime sleep? 

A kindly old man with a blank cowl

said he has simply prepared for one

not there who would bring fire instead. 

I baptize only with water, but he for whom

I cry in this wilderness, whose shoe straps

I am unworthy to untie, he will use fire. 

Was it this fire from the fireless fount

that roused you then from your slumber,

where you must have giggled and played 

with the elves that sang you a lullaby?

It is the flame of my father’s spirit I burn

you with, sear you with his eternal love! 

Was it his ardent caress then that woke

you up to a quick cry of surprise not pain,

was it his outstretched hand on your head? 

Did he touch you, Marie, on your brow,

and asked: Will you be my lamb and follow

me, build the campfire to warm my flock? 

It will be very cold tonight at the stable.

Was it his gentle palm on your face then,

that eased your angry yell into a tender sob? 

Was he there, Marie? Did he smile at you?

---Albert B. Casuga

12-11-11

*Baptised as a follower of Jesus Christ at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, December 11, 2011, in the presence of her parents, Martin Lalonde and Adele Frances Casuga, her godparents, Alvin Kwan and April Veronica Casuga-Kwan, her grandparents  Albert and Veronica Casuga and Roger and  Therese Lalonde, nine Casuga-clan cousins, aunts and uncles, and family friends. Deacon Rev. Mr. Don Roberts, on behalf of Parish Pastor Rev. Joseph Grima, officiated.