Full Immersion

At the age of nine, Pa drove me to the river. The pastor & deacons awaited. I donned a white robe, transparent, self-conscious of my fresh nubs. Father Jonas reached beneath me, placed a hand over my nose & mouth. I resisted. He pushed me hard until my feet released & rose to the surface, like a corpse. I cried afterward, cold & clammy, wet hair plaited back. All the men thought I was full of the Holy Ghost.