Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Brothers of Sexton Street

Innocent times growing up, when the bird was on the wing
I always thought that wrong because the wing was on the bird
School was all about learning, they pounded it in every day
Those Christian Brothers on Sexton Street, believed it was the only way

They wore the cleric outfit with the pockets down to their knees
In there they kept thick leather straps and it wasn’t for swatting bees
Those leather straps were shaped at the top, to easily fit in their hand
Two leather pieces sewn together, they really should have been banned

I do not know if our parents were aware, the brothers had this learning tool
And they used it without hesitation, apparently approved by the school
Now the brothers had problems of their own and at times were angry men
They got rid of their rage and anger, while using their straps on us, Amen

During the early to mid forties, us young ones let our sideburns grow
It was just a youthful rebellious thing, a way for us to crow
We knew it annoyed the brothers; our parents didn’t seem to mind
So we continued to flaunt it, without any thoughts of being unkind

It felt good going into class, knowing we had found redemption
Until one particular brother, found a way to get our attention
He would sneak up behind your bench, grab hold of that growing hair
Then yank you out of your seat, as the pain had nothing to compare

Today they have better methods, leather straps are gone as a tool
Students and teachers get together, helping each other through school
Well, I certainly remember their teaching, back when the leather was in
It is a part of my life’s foundation, though I didn’t think so back then

Michael Christopher Daly
April 2, 2008