The Choir Director Teaches Sunday School

The Choir Director Teaches Sunday School

Susan Spear

Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer.
—Simone Weil

At six feet four, he gentles down to hand
Each child a chime made of aluminum
And wood and says, “Now, pay attention.

Do not ring your chime until I point
to you.” Ten girls fidget, two boys fiddle
with their bells. Clang, bang, thud, clunk, giggle.

Bemused friends and parents dot the pews.
“Children, watch me. When I point to you,
use your wrist to ring your chime. Like this.”

They ring all wrong, too soon, too late, too long.
“Great!” he says. Then he bends down, leans in
And whispers, “Let’s turn those sounds into a song.

Keep your eyes on me.” With great intention
He points his index finger, from child to child
Who, one by one, ring (almost!) in time.

Note by note, a melody emerges:
The skinny boy says, “Mom and Dad say,
‘When we sing we pray.’”

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Susan Spear
Professor & Poet

Susan is a professor and poet who has published two collections of poetry: Beyond All Bearing and On Earth...(both by Resource Publications). She is the co-author (along with David J. Rothman) of Learning the Secrets of English Verse, a poetry-writing textbook (Springer). You can find her at www.susandelaneyspear.com.

Painting by Hubert Salentin (1888)