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I Confess

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 Login to Reply 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..... Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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!! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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

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