John Lawless Poet Free verse

Cross Purposes

Cross Purposes


They were always hanging there
----those crosses

Condemning me as a sinner
---in first grade

Overseeing the evil that
----awaited me

Held high above the sheepish flock
----lest one escape

Crosses hanging at the end of beads
----mumbled supplication

Crosses to be borne
----to curry favor with this god

Of crosses
-----passed down through generations.

They still hang there 
-----those crosses

Dangling reminders
-----tarnishing the windows of my soul



John G. Lawless
7/16/2015

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Kp Nunez July 29, 2015 at 12:54 AM "Tarnishing the windows of my soul"...a strong line to cap the series of declarations with those images. Congratulations, John! Kim

Jan Allison July 23, 2015 at 8:38 AM Reminded me of my dad and his rosary beads John - I especially love the final stanza:-) hugs jan xx

Emile Pinet July 22, 2015 at 9:03 AM The author uses good imagery and maintains a poetic flow through the whole piece. This poem reads like an emptying of the soul as thoughts are poured out and tumble freely to the next one with a cascading effect. Emile.

Judy Konos July 16, 2015 at 10:35 AM Very precise....bringing back memories....mostly of grandmother's house.....thank you