It has been a day since my last confession--
in the form of a poem
about a broken heart,
one that happened seven years ago and every day since.
I find that my life has two constants,
just like my two hands,
my two empty and idle hands.
Come up and see my workshop, honey.
I'll write you a love poem
or do anything,
if only you'll come.
I confess that I have sinned,
and that I can't walk out my front door,
or go to the mailbox
without a few mortal and venials happening almost on their own.
I covet another woman,
someone else's wife,
not even a Catholic.
Sweetheart, stop me if you've heard this one.
They say that Divine radiance can fill any heart.
I know I should look for God in every difficulty,
shovel the shit to find the pony,
but I am so hit-and-miss in my faith.
I try.
I do,
but honestly, the thing in this world that delights me most
is simply hearing you laugh.
Hope is the thing with feathers,
so says Emily,
and I think that surely she wrote it after saying something silly to Susan,
whose snort and open laughter sent whole flocks up into the Amherst sky.
_________
Got a confession? Tell Sister LaTonya.
another sad day with fireblossom...
ReplyDeleteShay--I loved this whole poem (as always)...the last line was exquisite.
ReplyDeleteAn immaculate conception,and classic Fireblossom--I'd linger to try to help saddle that pony, but have to be leaving before the holy water forms behind my eyelids and shrivels me down to two curled toes.
ReplyDeleteThose last lines . . .my God, I'd wish I'd written those.
ReplyDeleteNuclear, Intelligent sensual soul
ReplyDeleteAloha
"I can't walk out my front door,
ReplyDeleteor go to the mailbox
without a few mortal and venials happening almost on their own."
I think you've summed up the daily experiences of most of us. So glad to know that no matter what I do some religion or another is going to frown upon me... ;-)
Wowzers. Killer poem - and those last lines? Incomparable. Sigh. When do our yearning hearts get filled, kiddo? When?
ReplyDeleteYou rock. How could I not come here daily? Love how you made the meme your own. You have a way or rendering a piece both personal and universal. Sometimes we forget our we work is art not journaling. Art speaks to an audience. You never fails to create a connection. There are more reasons I admire your work but I writing on my kindle from a hospital bed. I'm fine.
ReplyDeleteGlad you came into my world.
?
Failed to add I love the Dickinson reference.
ReplyDeletecan anyone even breathe without committing a few mortals and venials? it's why I don't do religion. Life itself, it seems, is a sin.
ReplyDeleteanother one to read slowly and savor
ReplyDelete"but honestly, the thing in this world that delights me most
ReplyDeleteis simply hearing you laugh"
This is how I feel about Mrs. Moskowitz. Your passion and longing for STWIASD are palpable - a bittersweet pleasure to read.
I had to look up venial to comprehend. Life is its own religion to me without all the dos and don'ts of sins spelled out for us. This feels sad and lonely. I'm blessed to have a husband who makes me laugh and I get to hear him laugh every day. I can't image life without that now. But it's how I used to live so I know. No interest in my life while married to another. Indeed sad and lonely. Hugs if okay. Raw and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow - Amherst puts another whole spin on it.
ReplyDeletethe ending of this one is perfection:~)
ReplyDeleteHumor for me is my soul food. Make me laugh and you've got a friend for life!
So beautiful...my heart feels the longing in this one
ReplyDelete