The Matter Is Life (3 page)

Preacher take the text somewhere in John 14. Say …“Jesus goin somewhere to prepare a place for YOU.” And after he talk about the many mansions, he step slowwwwwly back and sit down.

“Yes Lord.” “My God.” “Hummmm-hummmm.” Through sorrow or memory.

Then the white minister, cause the dead man had some white relations round here, he got up and took the pulpit and
said a prayer for the family. Was a nice one. Said, “May God keep them.”

I said to myself, “He betta, cause we needs help, higher help, in this here world.” Then he sat back down.

Then I snapped to! Cause the piano rose up
higher, tho still softly,
and the music just softly boomed out.
Them high ups
and low down notes
just stole out and
jumped out from round under them hands playin
that piano, stole into your heart,
then down to some feet. Men’s big feet go a deeper sound from a woman’s smaller foot. I listens.
Patpatpatpatpatpat. PAT … PAT … PAT.
Some folks did their pattin with both feet, one at a time. Pat … Pat. Pat … Pat. Pat … Pat. Pat … pat.

Now the last preacher got up and walked to the pulpit lookin into everybodies eyes. He had a deep-crackin reach-down voice, sad today. I can’t member all he said, but I know I remembered what I like best.

“No need to say good-by. We will all meet again.” I member too, he said, “Ain’t no need to be playin round with your time here, thinkin it won’t happen to you.… Cause it will. And only YOU know where you goin. Be careful what you pack in your suitcase of life, cause that’s what you gonna take with you. Watch that double dealin malice, that hate and greed. Adultry and lyin. Sex and gossip that you put in it, cause it gets heavy and you can’t get far with it.”

Oh! The feets went to pattin so fast was like a little tiny army was passin through the church. I was worried bout the floor, but when he was through, the church was still standin. Done weathered many a these storms, I guess.

Then the piano went into my favorite! “Precious Lord,
take my hand, Lead me on, help me stand.”
Oh! She hit on them bass keys
and rolllllllled.
She rolled through the storm.
The storm rolled to the end.
Them pattin feet rolled.
The hands clap, couldn’t hold still.
The eyes rolled up to heaven. The tears rolled down to the earth.
Movin to the music.