vignette / the altar boys

we knew to lift the hems of our cassocks

beyond the heels of our sneakers

while kneeling during the proclamation of evidence.

we knew to pour a little more water

for Father Diaferio, and a little more wine

for Father Pannoni into their respective chalices.

we knew to unbutton our cassocks

half way for easy on, easy off convenience.

we knew how to avoid serving

the dreaded “Stations of the Cross”

by claiming a knee injury while

sliding into second at least a week

before the list of servers was drawn-up.

we knew how to sneak behind the curtain

of the stage in the church basement for a little

hanky-panky with the neighborhood girls during

church sponsored dances promoted to keep us "off the corner"

and we knew when to say “enough" and skip

the proceedings, peddling to “Sambo’s Diner”

for a quick cup and a slow cruise around the block.