As I sit chatting to my friend, Ann,
over a cup of tea,
Ann says something
that intrigues me.
“Every day
I take a wee drink
of Holy Water.”

Hmmm …
this sounds new!

“I like to think of it”, continues Ann,
“as a little drink
for the soul.”

I lean in closer
to hear more.

“Always take it
in the name of The Trinity,”
instructs Ann.

This just makes
so much sense to me.

Then comes the clincher –
“You’ll never drink anything
more powerful!”

Ann sits back in her seat
and calmly drinks
her cup of tea
while I sit opposite her,
my head spinning!

I mention all of this
to Mammy
who is not in the least surprised.
“Oh, I know several people
in Derry,” says Mammy,
“who take Holy Water every day
with their medicine.”

And so I have begun to take
a wee drink of Holy Water
every day –
my very own little drink
for the soul.
I take it in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Ghost,
as Ann instructed.

(I keep it in the fridge
to keep it fresh!”)

© Claire Murray, 20th April, 2024