Earl Schumacker Poet Free verse

Dinner With the Priest

All those shells you hide behind
Keep you in the empty womb
An egg with no arms to hug
No fingers to use the spoon
No soap to wash the sin away

Without them you lose yourself
More importantly, you lose supper
The closest cousin to love is food

Gossip can not be consumed
It is not a sweet pastry or cake
Not on the menu for today
Redemption has a bitter taste

Sins are like feathers in the wind
The priest orders you to catch them
Return them to the chicken, every one
Attach them back exactly to the bird
From where you plucked them firstly

Your original sin was to tell lies
Pray to the chicken for forgiveness
In their native language at lunch

Don't show your tongue in public
Words spoken wrongly don't come undone
You can not return them once they do harm
False ones against your neighbor don't return
Once the damage is done, lost in the wind

Words should not be taken lightly
As light as a feather from the skin
From innocent chickens sinless
Minding their own business

Sentiments should not be stiff
As stiff as a board with scorn
Lips should speak softly with truth
With the logic of gossip still born

Beg for forgiveness before dinner
The priest will understand if you are late
But don't forget the chicken and feathers
That would be a mistake


*Authors note: Remember to wash your feet before eating. That foot and words you eat may be your own if you go gossiping.

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