My Dad Baptized Me

My Dad
baptized
me
The two
of
us
in
starched
white
cotton
tee shirts
and
boxers
white
pants
and
white
perma-iron
short-sleeved
shirts
It
was
one
of the
quietest
moments
I
remember
My
Father
took
my
hand
and
we
walked
Bare-
foot
up
cold
linoleum
steps
until
we
reached
the
alter
and
my
Father
placed
a
white
handkerchief
over
my
mouth.
"In
the
name
of
the Father,
the
Son,
and
the
Holy
Spirit."
And
the
weight
of
water
rushed
over
me
and
the
weight
of
light
rushed
over
me
and
that
is
all
I
need
to
know
As my
Father
brought me to the surface
and
water
rushed
from
my eyes
and my Father
held
me.