Rosary
By Courtney Sina Meredith
Published 1 January 2021
I used to watch her pray
green beads in soft palms
she worked herself to the bone at the denim factory
but when she came home
her rosary was waiting.
I used to open her jewellery box
and hold the rosary in my hands
breathing in her prayers for the aiga to prosper
for the rose bush to flower
for life to be easier on her granddaughter.
We used to go along to midnight mass
and watch the women show their children
angels painted in the windows
while the congregation rose
to sing Christmas hymns.
We said goodbye too soon
the house lost her scent
but the roses bloomed
and I went out into the world
with her rosary.