Flannery O'Connor at Lourdes

Anglican Theological Review, Spring 2008 by Huggins, Peter

Mother's idea to bring me here.

I could care less about a cure.

I know what God intends for me.

Why should I postpone the inevitable?

It makes no sense: I have accepted

My fate. Why can't Mother?

She will have her way in this

As in everything or at least

She will try. She doesn't understand

That to rid myself of pain

Might lead me astray.

I feel the pull of the world,

The things of this world:

They talk to me all the time.

They want me to listen but I

Have tuned them out. Nature will not

Trap me with its display. I will

Take the waters as Mother bids me.

I will cover my head and arms,

Wear a dress, be decent.

The grotto calls: Our Lady comes.

PETER HUGGINS

Peter Huggins teaches in the English Department at Auburn University. He has published three poetry collections; his new book South is forthcoming from Louisiana Literature Press. He is the author of a picture book, Trosclair and the Alligator (Star Bright Books), and a novel for middle readers, In the Company of Owls, to be published by New South Books.