If only I had been born Catholic
a Saint for every occasion
Saint Anthony would have been on speed-dial
since I was always losing things
I was well known for it—that and
forgetting what I was going to the shop for
but now I have acquired the habit
of carrying a little black notebook sadly
not for the phone numbers of paramours
but that I might return from the shops
with what I went for, amongst other things
and when, as a vicarious observer
of the sainted folks, I heard of
Saint Jude, Patron Saint of Lost Causes
I had a sneaking affection for him
I bet he would know how
to help a serial forgetter of shopping.
© Andrew Wilson, 2026
Over at dVerse Poets Pub, Björn Rudberg (brudberg) in Uncategorized, invites us to submit a poem of our choice for Open Link Night which will also be live on Saturday 20th 10 AM on New York time…
Those saints are like apps! I have to write everything down too. My blog has been helpful with memory gaps. It’s all there somewhere since 2006.
It is odd, is it not, to dredge up pieces of one’s own history that we have not only forgotten but forgotten that we wrote down too, Colleen…
I would also like a saint or someone as I am a serial forgetter! Especially when I need things like, toilet paper, onion, a tomato. whatever.
Might there be a patron saint of wrangling muses, Reelika?
Shopping list stuck on the fridge. Do you do click and collect, or shop online?
I don’t, Marilyn – going round Aldi, where everything is always in the same place and there is not an excess of choice, is my way of doing without a list – mostly, Marilyn…
I too shall make a plea to the Saint of forgetfulness! I will have to try carrying around a little black book. I loved the light heartedness of this poem and the Saint comparisons…an adorable poem indeed!! 💜
We do need light hearted in these dark days of politics, war and environmental catastrophe, Cara – it is a shame that little black book does not have the connotations it once had…
Your utility saints mad me smile, Andrew. I could do with both Saint Anthony and Saint Jude. I have several notebooks, folders on my phone, Kindle and laptop but, as you can see, I am a lost cause.
I am sure you exaggerate, Kim…
Humorous, witty poem.
Thanks, Cai…
Amusing, Andrew! I’m imagining those saints getting frazzled with all the appeals. 😊 I’m not Catholic, but it seems there is a saint for every cause.
Indeed, Merril, but to be truly replete with gods for every aspect of light, you have to go to Hinduism…
I would lose the notebook I think…. there are a thousand ways of forgetting.
It lives in my briefcase or on my desk or in my white coat pocket at work, Björn and I ritually unpack it and repack it each day. It does contain the original texts of some good poems too…
I’m similarly fascinated by the array of saints and what they are associated with – had to call a cat Agatha after finding out St. Agatha is the patron saint of cats!
I am constantly in need of such a saint Andrew (I can’t blame ADHD but it messes with my intentions) Missed you at OLN.