Maw Maw Anna, from Thibodaux, Louisiana
Anna-Louise Battaglia Rodrigue-
what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
I remember fondly,
sleepovers with the cousins,
and going into you and Gerard’s bedroom
excitedly to awake you.
No breakfast with Paw Paw until you’d both
finished your rosaries.
So many to pray for,
we were only a few then, but eventually
there were thirteen of us.
First grandson,
you hoped I’d be the Pius One.
I suppose I did spread Christianity,
along with Democracy,
from the barrel of a machine gun.
I got the Chi Rho tattooed over my heart
before deployment.
I suppose the Middle East was safer for Catholics,
until our government decided they were done with it. (For now)
I wasn’t cut out to be a priest,
but at least,
I got to sit with you in the front row
of our church in my dress blues.
The service uniforms made you smile,
and we didn’t have to discuss the trouble
I’d gotten into meanwhile.
Thankfully in the pictures I sent
you didn’t understand what
my rank decreasing
as my ribbons were increasing meant.
I was hell-bound and you were heaven-sent.
I probably wouldn’t have made it through
if you and Grammy Mert
didn’t pray the rosary for me
as cyclic as my 240 ate belts of 7.62.
Follow Mason Rodrigue here. Support Mason Rodrigue here. Listen to our conversation with Mason Rodrigue here.
Learn more about the Veterans Repertory Theater here.