HOLY LAND USA

I’m not sure
exactly
how
John and I
found
HOLY LAND USA.
Maybe
we read about it
in "The Catholic Standard and Times"

You see,
John and I were
friends
bound
haunted                                                                    
possessed
by our Catholic past
John and I
collected
photographed
documented                                                      

all we could find.
The ritual
the pomp
and circumstance
All
that was
the myth
and the misery
of our Catholic past.

“We’ve got to see this place,”John said.

Letter of introduction
and donation check
sent
to the Sisters
who inherited
HOLY LAND USA
Produced
An invitation
to spend                                                         

the weekend

Visible
from the highway
Giant letters
Grew
 out of the hills
of Waterbury, Connecticut

HOLY LAND USA

A 50 foot cross
marked
the biblical theme park
Constructed from
chicken wire
cinder blocks
broken bits
and
faith.

In a borrowed car
we arrived
at the trailer
of Sister Josephine and Sister Margaret.
guardians
of the holy site

“So nice to meet you,John and Karen.There’s our guest house.Please tour the grounds.We’ll have dinner here at 7.”Sister Josephine said.

John and I
roamed
overgrown hills
cracked cement steps
rusted railings
in search of
The Catacombs
The Garden of Eden                                                

The Stations of the Cross

We found them all
in rubble
in ruins
in lost glory

“I think those nuns must have really done something awful to be exiled to this place,” said John.He had 12 years experience with Catholic schools and nuns.

The Sisters’ trailer
had
 all the comforts of
suburbia
 “Blessed Mother blue”
crushed velvet
sectional sofas
with matching
hanging lamps
All covered
in plastic

“I grilled some chicken,”said Sister Josephine.”I know how men love to grill”.She winked at John.”Here’s a dandelion salad.We picked the dandelions.Don’t worry,there’s no dogs around.”
Another wink.

We spent the evening
listening
to the tales
of  long lines
of travelers
of the faithful
who came to
HOLY LAND USA

After dinner
we watched
a detective show on TV
Politely
 we excused ourselves.
“We’re so tired from the long drive,”John said.
Back in our trailer,
we collapsed
into giggles.
I think we
had brought
a bottle
or two of wine with us.

“Those girls are living in some fantasy land,”said John “I wonder when was the last time they went into those hills? Do you see how Sister Josephine’s eyes flash and her dentures click when she talks about it?”
“John,don’t you think it’s strange that nuns are allowing an unmarried couple to stay in their guest trailer?”
“From the looks of this place, we may be the only guests that they’ve had in a very long time.”

Early
next morning
we heard a crackle
from the kitchen
“Ten four,John” a disembodied voice said.
There was an intercom
in the kitchen.
Our jaws dropped.
John flicked a small switch.
“Good morning,Sister Josephine” John said.
“It’s time for breakfast”
“Ok, we’ll be right there.Ten four,Sister Josephine.”
He flicked the switch again.
“Oh my God,do you think that thing was on all night and they heard us?”he said.
Ingrained fear
of nuns
caught us both
By the throats.

Stripping
guest beds
Final tour
Backward glance
And a farewell                                         

photo by John Joyce

 
wave.
Visible from the highway
Giant letters
Grew
out of the hills.

HOLY LAND USA