Every Sunday we see them
walking down the aisle
bent and hobbled.
An elderly man leads
a wizened old woman.
“Here I am, Lord, if you need me,”
Tottering along behind,
the gray-haired son, head down,
slouched, uneven gait, slightly rumpled.
“It is well with my soul.”
They enter the pew, bow their heads in prayer.
The son rocks to-and-fro in a steady rhythm
throughout Mass.
“As the Father has loved me so I have loved you.”
Mass over, the family files out of the pew,
out of church, silent, they speak to no one
as the choir sings,
“I love you, you are Mine, says the Lord.”
Poetry above by Pat Kopanda, photography below by Frank Hubeny.
Linked to dVerse Open Link Night.
Prairie Writers Guild - NW Indiana 
To see such a thing every Sunday, is very much a resilient faith, and somehow I admire them, but I cannot give up my doubts.
Thank you, Bjorn!
They seem to be a self-contained family, united in their faith.
Yes, they do. Thank you, Kim!
God is a two-way street. How many pray to God but never give themselves a chance to hear God’s response?
Good point. We have to listen as well. Thank you, Jade!
Thank you, based on personal experience 🙂
Nice imagery here! I see them vividly in my mind’s eye.
Thank you, Tim!
I know such families myself, where elderly parents still have an aging son living with them; a son with autism or one that is developmentally delayed (God, we used to say retarded); touching and sad. Faith goes a long way in holding them together.
Thank you, Glenn!
I admire the family’s steadfast faith, every Sunday.
Thank you, Grace!
I agree with MsJade 🙂 this is a lovely and reflective poem. ❤️
Thank you, Sanaa!
This poem touches the heart. Beautiful.
Thank you, Beverly!
Reblogged this on Poetry, Short Prose and Walking.
Cute
Thank you, Sabio!
This speaks to me of tenderness and bond that I have never managed to find or create myself, but I am glad, someone, out there, did and it looks and feels from afar like your poem.
Thank you, Oloriel!
I enjoyed the picture you painted…I go to church most Sundays but am often in a hurry to leave because of other things to do…this reminded me of the only thing to do…carry Sunday into the rest of the week. Thank you 💙
Good point about carrying Sunday into the rest of the week. Thank you, Donna!
A very visual picture painted here. I could see and hear it all. Faith…all so very personal. Thanks for sharing this Frank.
Pat
Thank you, Pat!