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Confessional

"Hail Mary full of grace" These words you demand of me as I sit here in this dark box confessing crying talking to your shadow Eyes that never meet I am untouched by your hand You say in this place my secrets are safe and me I wish to be set free yet there is no resolution Can't you see This is a frigid place an impersonal cold box with walls that close in I feel no relief from my sin You ask me to begin "Forgive me father for I have sinned" I have had impure thoughts I have done things in the dark The beast has left its mark You sit there do you really understand You speak softly and demand Tell me more Tell me more Why do you sit there in the dark separated from me Is it somehow easier to see I'm sorry it makes no sense the wall becomes a fence throwing off my internal balance I'd feel better sitting across from you away from this palace In the end we are both just men we will surely sin again Hail Marys won't be nearly enough only God can forgive our stuff I choose to talk directly to Him through Jesus I can begin His blood spilled for my sin That's how I know deep within Jesus sweet Jesus shows me how to begin I confess to Him not mother Mary or some man in a robe They can't set me free So I walk away unforgiven by man yet gifted eternity!

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/7/2021 4:32:00 AM

Excellent! My mom once said, “I don’t know why we have to confess our sins to a priest.” I told her the truth from the bible: There is only one mediator between man and God, Jesus Christ. I have been so far removed from the box that I forgot that people still do that. Praying together among brothers and sisters in Christ are so much more beautiful, the touch of love in hands, hugs, and voice. A fave, my friend! Thank you for telling me about this one.

Eric Ashford

Date: 8/12/2019 3:56:00 PM

Hi Richard this is a strong poem and makes lots of great thoughts. My (often unsolicited advice), is that sometimes less is more. I would also not use an exclamation mark at the end. Otherwise this is a winner!

Vladislav Raven

Date: 11/25/2018 6:41:00 PM

Hi Richard, this is such a creative, excellent write my friend. This is such an interesting piece. From start to end I was engrossed in your words. I am a strange Catholic Richard. I love and trust my god but not my church. I don't like to blindly follow. It is a pleasure and honour to be reading your words Richard. Have a wonderful Monday. Your friend always....Mike.

Len Gasun

Date: 12/25/2017 12:15:00 AM

This is truly amazing! Belated congratulations for a well-deserved great win, my dear poet-friend. Thank you so much for sharing, your lovely visit on my old Christmas poem and your greetings. Merry Christmas to you and your family too. God bless you always! Hugs.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/25/2017 8:19:00 AM

Thanks again Galen.:0)

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 12/2/2017 3:09:00 AM

Thoughtful, honest, perceptive and well constucted, in a form that enhances the power of the message. I am impressed and satisfied.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/2/2017 8:23:00 AM

What a nice thing to say Geoffrey. I appreciate your visit.

Rhoda Tripp

Date: 11/25/2017 7:07:00 PM

I'm a recovering Catholic attending C.A. classes (kidding, no offense) but I could totally relate!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/26/2017 11:21:00 AM

Ha ha, none taken.

Ralph Sergi

Date: 10/1/2017 5:33:00 PM

Hi Richard: a great and very insightful poem. To have reached this age, I no longer feel as guilty and I'm the one who attends church in my family and I don't point fingers. I believe that faith is a great healer.

Rick Eichelberg

Date: 9/25/2017 5:47:00 PM

Wow! As a Catholic, that is a very profound poem, Richard, and I can easily understand why it won. I have GOT to read more of your work. Seriously, well done.

Anna Hopper

Date: 9/2/2017 8:32:00 AM

PHENOMENAL

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 9/2/2017 8:35:00 AM

Thanks Anna, much appreciated.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 8/12/2017 10:40:00 AM

Very profound poem, Richard. Your words ring universal true. Great poem. Love and joy.

John Fleming

Date: 8/6/2017 5:38:00 PM

Religion was designed in the minds of men - not in the mind of God! Great poem, Richard...impressed! My very best regards. :) john

Afzal Nusker

Date: 8/5/2017 12:31:00 PM

Your faith & belief shines through this crystal clear poem. Congrats on your win, Richard.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/5/2017 12:19:00 AM

This is a good way to show how such confessions to men don't give forgiveness, why tell them when we can talk directly to our God? Beautiful poem, Richard, I see it has won! Congratulations:)

Michael Tor

Date: 8/3/2017 11:07:00 PM

Wow great truth spoken here. Read by a former Catholic I can relate. Love the Catholic people but dislike the religion. You have spoken the truth here Richard. I for one agree... Wonderful write my friend.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/4/2017 9:17:00 AM

I too know many amazing, loving and thoughtful Catholic people. I just have trouble wrapping my mind and heart around some of the tenants of their beliefs and traditions. Thanks for commenting.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/1/2017 2:55:00 PM

I was so sure that I had commented on this outstanding poem, Richard. Perhaps there was a glitch on my phone or something. Of course, you know that I share your beliefs completely. "For there is no other name under heaven given to man by which He can be saved!" Exceptional write....and congrats, dear.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/4/2017 9:19:00 AM

To be honest I seem to remember responding to a comment from you on this piece. Thanks and a big hug for coming back.

Rob Carmack

Date: 7/31/2017 4:27:00 PM

Awesome Richard, only Christ. He is all we need and he is all that we have. Congrats on taking first place.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/4/2017 9:13:00 AM

Amen to that Rob. Thanks for commenting.

Dan Cwiak

Date: 7/31/2017 11:05:00 AM

Richard, this is nicely done and I will play "devil's advocate" in reminding you that Jesus gave the power to forgive to His apostles. No, you don't need to hide in a box to confess...just ask him to sit next to you for a few minutes. If you told him how you feel with the poem above, I am sure your view would change. I love the way you worked this out, but perhaps differ on the experience. Congratulations on the win.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/4/2017 9:11:00 AM

Hi Dan, to fully appreciate the verse you quoted read the preceding verses where Jesus gifted them the Holy Spirit. Two scriptures to ponder, john 1:19 and James 5:16. Thanks for a intelligent and peaceful response.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/31/2017 10:35:00 AM

The bible says that there is only one mediator between man and God and that is Jesus. Nicely done & Congrats!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/31/2017 10:54:00 AM

Amen, thanks for commenting.

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 7/31/2017 3:07:00 AM

Hi again. Someone also pointed out that the spelling should be its mark. I am not big on perfectionism and so be it. Congratulations again, Kai

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/31/2017 10:57:00 AM

I corrected its, thanks for catching it. Yes fridged was intentional. May I ask what forum was my piece being discussed in? I am always happy to learn from others.

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 7/31/2017 3:05:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. This is an out of the box (pun) entry and I obviously love it. There has been a comment on you using 'fridged' instead of possibly 'frigid'. I like it the way it is and thought it was intentional as in 'in a fridge' in the cold box and very original therefore. Many wishes, Kai

Lin Lane

Date: 7/30/2017 6:07:00 PM

Rick, I am so delighted to see this one in first place. Well done on passing along this valuable information.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/30/2017 6:32:00 PM

Thanks Lin.:0)

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 7/30/2017 4:01:00 PM

So very well-stated, Richard, and a struggle many of us have gone through ... for me the laws added by the Catholic church in the (many) years following the teachings of Christ had little to do with his original message, if any, and I began to abandon them in my early teens, as the Word stated clearly that there should be NO ONE between me and My Father in Heaven. We must each find our own way, but I relate to your wonderful poem. Congrats on well-deserved first place!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/30/2017 6:35:00 PM

Well said Greg, thanks for adding your thoughts.

Janis Thompson

Date: 7/30/2017 3:11:00 PM

Well written Richard. Deep thoughts and obvious that you found the one who truly forgives. Congratulations on your first place win.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/30/2017 6:38:00 PM

Thanks Janis.

John Hamilton

Date: 7/30/2017 12:43:00 PM

Great write Rick, congrats on a first place win!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/30/2017 6:37:00 PM

Thanks john.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/25/2017 6:15:00 PM

oh good heavens. Ignore the soupmail I just sent you. My comments were not going through when I first sent them, but suddenly they have both appeared when I returned here for a third try!