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I Confess

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AN EMOTIVE WRITE

The ornate church door creaked as I entered My eyes soon became accustomed to the dusky light Candles flickered, their shadows dancing on the walls I knelt down at one of the heavily polished pews It was many many years since I had been to this church My hands clutched my string of rosary beads - I’d had them since my first communion Folding my hands I began to pray Finally after a few minutes I opened my eyes In the corner of the church I could see the confession booth Suddenly the door sprang open A wizened old man emerged; he was bent over with age But even after all these years I recognised him Those eyes that bored into my very soul The abuse had started when I was in the choir My life had been ruined from such an early age As a teenager I went off the rails Drink, drugs, anything to try and kill the pain Spent years in and out of prison Now I was finally free Father I asked, do you have a moment to hear my confession He turned round slowly and hobbled back into the confession booth I followed him and sat down on the scarlet velvet cushion He opened the little grille between the two booths Forgive me father for I have sinned I killed a man and beg your forgiveness When did this happen my child… It was then I pulled the trigger Date:29/07/15 Contest:Give Me Goosebumps Poetry Contest Sponsor: Nina Parmenter

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James Fraser

Date: 10/10/2015 1:00:00 PM

A trigger I'd never contemplated, but ending it was a thought that ran until 1982. Knowing I love music, one question clawed me back. What song would I miss when I sleep. That song is 'From Father to Son' by Queen. My all time favourite track. Such poetry should be out there highlighting the pains endured by so many innocent kids. The true trigger would be pulled, name and shame such parasites. How ironic, WEB is the captcha, such Webs thrive on us innocents :( - James xxxx

James Fraser
Date: 10/10/2015 4:44:00 PM

Many a time as my friends know my past. They say, sorry, but you should be a statistic knowing you. I answer back with serious blindness, with blanking out such. Only recently having read my past poems, well - some of them. She viewed I mourned the day I lost them, but I never celibrated their lives.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/10/2015 2:06:00 PM

A heartbreaking comment to a heartbreaking write - oh how I wish these criminals can see the damage they do to these innocent children and STILL it goes on in the church and somehow they manage to get away with it - I have no idea where the inspiration for my poems come from James I simply go with the flow of my muse :-) hugs Jan xx

Judy Konos

Date: 8/7/2015 9:29:00 PM

BIG 7....FAV.....

Jan Allison
Date: 8/8/2015 2:58:00 AM

Aww thank my friend - one of my darker writes... but it simply had to be written! Hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/3/2015 6:47:00 PM

Jan, l knew this skillful write was a winner. It had a good plot and everything else in between. The twist at the end was excellent! Congratulations on a well deserved win:-)Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 8/3/2015 6:50:00 PM

Thanks Alexis I do appreciate your support - I was really pleased to place so highly in the contest:-) hugs jan xx

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 8/2/2015 10:54:00 PM

Superb write Jan that's worthy of great win! Big congrats!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/3/2015 3:41:00 AM

Thanks so much Dr Sharma:-) hugs Jan xx

Joseph May

Date: 8/2/2015 9:16:00 PM

Now that's a chilling twist....Congrats on a great win Jan

Jan Allison
Date: 8/3/2015 3:40:00 AM

Thanks Joseph i was really pleased the way this poem turned out and glad Frank liked it too:-) hugs Jan xx

James Inman

Date: 8/2/2015 6:30:00 PM

Excellent write, Jan! As for Rachel's comment about "Tales of the Unexpected," I'm right there with you.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 6:35:00 PM

Thanks James I hadn't thought about it until Rachel said and now I can hear the music running through my mind:-) hugs jan xx

Thabang Ngoma

Date: 8/2/2015 6:01:00 PM

I just audiably flinched...what an unexpected and chilling twist...love your work Jan & many conrats on your win (:heers, *******7bang

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 6:02:00 PM

Thanks Thabang - a very different type of twist for me lol am so glad Frank liked it:-) hugs Jan xx

D.W. Rodgers

Date: 8/2/2015 4:21:00 PM

Well done, your poem may be the least twisted thing in this story. Congrats on your win.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 4:30:00 PM

That made me smile thanks Dave:-) hugs jan xx

Skat A

Date: 8/2/2015 4:07:00 PM

Jan, a wonderful win. SKAT

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 4:17:00 PM

Oh thanks for the good news Skat:-) hugs jan xx

Barbara Campbell

Date: 8/1/2015 1:53:00 PM

Jan, My reference came not from my mind, but from a quick reference to O. Henry's real name. Barbara

Jan Allison
Date: 8/1/2015 2:06:00 PM

Oh I understand - I have just googled O Henry - he is not someone I am at all familiar with - I am in the UK so I guess he is more well known in the US. Now I understand I know your comment is a real compliment:-) hugs Jan xx

Barbara Campbell

Date: 8/1/2015 1:32:00 PM

Jan, Just delightful. William Porter would likely be impressed. Your poetry clearly shines. Barbara

Jan Allison
Date: 8/1/2015 1:40:00 PM

I am sorry Barbara I am not familiar with William Porter .. but I take your comment as a compliment:-) thank you:-) Hugs jJn xx

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 8/1/2015 3:10:00 AM

an exceptional write Jan very dark twist love it gl in contest hugs 7

Jan Allison
Date: 8/1/2015 4:00:00 AM

Thanks Shadow - I was in 2 minds whether to even post it because of the subject matter... but I am so glad I did!:-) hugs jan xx

Rachel Preston

Date: 7/30/2015 10:09:00 PM

Another excellent poem Jan. It's been bugging me but i've now realised what some of your poems remind me of ....Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected!! I remember watching them when i was much younger most always had twists at the end...usually on tv late but i used to fight to stay awake for the endings!!

Jan Allison
Date: 7/31/2015 1:57:00 AM

Oh gosh what memories Rachel - I can hear the music in my head and see the dancing woman in the flames lol ... I love writing poems with a twist... I also try to be creative with the title to draw the reader in:-) hugs jan xx

Aurore Severo

Date: 7/30/2015 5:32:00 PM

I like this poem very much

Jan Allison
Date: 7/31/2015 1:55:00 AM

Thanks so much Aurore:-) hugs Jan xx

Tim Smith

Date: 7/30/2015 1:50:00 PM

Great write Jan. It would have to be tough for anyone going through this...good luck Tim

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:58:00 PM

Thanks Tim - I was in 2 minds about posting this am so glad I did - heads up - next week I am being interviewed on the radio about my poetry ... you will be able to hear my voice lol:-) hugs jan xx

Nette Onclaud

Date: 7/30/2015 1:18:00 PM

my.. i could hardly breathe, jan... filled with suspense!.. huggs

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:30:00 PM

I'm so pleased i went with my heart and posted it Nette - i realise it is an emotive subject but the comments I have had have been wonderful:-) I do hope Frank doesn't leave I am so enjoying reading his blogs and wonderful poems again:-) hugs jan xx

Lee Carter

Date: 7/30/2015 1:06:00 PM

Whew!great job! Can't wait to see how it does...Good luck! ~lee

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:28:00 PM

Thanks Lee - Frank the sponsor has blogged that he is leaving - I sincerely hope he doesn't :- ( Hugs jan xxx

Constance La France

Date: 7/30/2015 11:36:00 AM

Jan, this is outstanding and fantastic 10+ and thanks for visiting my poetry and comments

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 11:45:00 AM

Thanks so much Broken Wings - I was in 2 minds whether or not to post it - I am so glad I took the plunge:-) hugs jan xx

Kp Nunez

Date: 7/30/2015 2:01:00 AM

Outstanding piece, Jan. I am excited for you! I felt it all - the implied dejection at the beginning, the need for succor of the mind... then the sharp turn at the middle, the rush of memories,pain, the need to confess something then...Whoa! That was one true unexpected turn! I really expect this at the top of the chart! hugs!

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 2:04:00 AM

Thanks Kim I was in 2 minds whether to even post it as it is a topical and emotive subject but I have to go with the flow of my pen:-) hugs jan xx

Arthur Vaso

Date: 7/30/2015 1:44:00 AM

When I read the title I was all set for a witty comment,but this poem is so very good, an absolute 7, when you jump to the serious side, you do it with such style! Loved this A7

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 2:03:00 AM

Thanks so much Arthur - Frank wanted a twist at the end - I hope he likes this one:-) hugs jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 7/29/2015 10:48:00 PM

Just coming back to make sure I gave you a 7:-)Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:41:00 AM

Thanks that's really kind I do appreciate your support:-) hugs jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 7/29/2015 10:46:00 PM

Jan, you did an amazing job. You had my full attention from the first word until the last word. They way that you skilfully penned this dark write was incredible. I was in that church in the confession booth and then wow! Great ending with a clever shilling twist. It should do great in the contest:)Alexis 7

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:41:00 AM

Thanks Alexis I just hope Frank likes it:-) hugs jan xx

Brenda Rose

Date: 7/29/2015 10:29:00 PM

This was on a Catholic theme, brilliantly written. Disturbing with a surprise ending. I think this is a definite winner. Of course a definite 7! God Bless, and thank you for sharing this poem with us.

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:40:00 AM

Thanks Brenda - Frank wanted a poem with a twist - I hope I have delivered that:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/29/2015 9:20:00 PM

Jan, you did REALLY REALLY great with this. I think frank is going to score it super high. I feel sad that I cannot think of a thing, even after all the scary shows I watch, I think I just can't come up with something original like you did! SEVEN

Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2015 1:39:00 AM

He wanted a twist at the end ... I think I gave it to him Andrea an emotive subject - sadly abuse still continues:-( hugs Jan xx

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 7/29/2015 9:03:00 PM

Jeepers Jan... I didn't see that coming. At the minute there's a Royal Commission being held here about Religions and inappropriate behaviour with children. I wish your poem was recited there - Lindsay

Jan Allison
Date: 7/29/2015 9:12:00 PM

I have to say Lindsay I have no control over my muse - this write came totally out of the blue - I must have caught something in the press and next thing I know this appears - would love it to be used Lindsay... then again it may give some of the victims an idea !:-) hugs jan xx