Jan Allison Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

 

AN EMOTIVE WRITE 

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 October 10, 2015 at 1:00 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 October 10, 2015 at 4:44 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 October 10, 2015 at 2:06 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 August 7, 2015 at 9:29 PM BIG 7....FAV..... Jan Allison August 8, 2015 at 2:58 AM Aww thank my friend - one of my darker writes... but it simply had to be written! Hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y. August 3, 2015 at 6:47 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 August 3, 2015 at 6:50 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 August 2, 2015 at 10:54 PM Superb write Jan that's worthy of great win! Big congrats! Jan Allison August 3, 2015 at 3:41 AM Thanks so much Dr Sharma:-) hugs Jan xx

Joseph May August 2, 2015 at 9:16 PM Now that's a chilling twist....Congrats on a great win Jan Jan Allison August 3, 2015 at 3:40 AM Thanks Joseph i was really pleased the way this poem turned out and glad Frank liked it too:-) hugs Jan xx

James Inman August 2, 2015 at 6:30 PM Excellent write, Jan! As for Rachel's comment about "Tales of the Unexpected," I'm right there with you. Jan Allison August 2, 2015 at 6:35 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 August 2, 2015 at 6:01 PM I just audiably flinched...what an unexpected and chilling twist...love your work Jan & many conrats on your win (:heers, *******7bang Jan Allison August 2, 2015 at 6:02 PM Thanks Thabang - a very different type of twist for me lol am so glad Frank liked it:-) hugs Jan xx

D.W. Rodgers August 2, 2015 at 4:21 PM Well done, your poem may be the least twisted thing in this story. Congrats on your win. Jan Allison August 2, 2015 at 4:30 PM That made me smile thanks Dave:-) hugs jan xx

Skat A August 2, 2015 at 4:07 PM Jan, a wonderful win. SKAT Jan Allison August 2, 2015 at 4:17 PM Oh thanks for the good news Skat:-) hugs jan xx

Barbara Campbell August 1, 2015 at 1:53 PM Jan, My reference came not from my mind, but from a quick reference to O. Henry's real name. Barbara Jan Allison August 1, 2015 at 2:06 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 August 1, 2015 at 1:32 PM Jan, Just delightful. William Porter would likely be impressed. Your poetry clearly shines. Barbara Jan Allison August 1, 2015 at 1:40 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 August 1, 2015 at 3:10 AM an exceptional write Jan very dark twist love it gl in contest hugs 7 Jan Allison August 1, 2015 at 4:00 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 July 30, 2015 at 10:09 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 July 31, 2015 at 1:57 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 July 30, 2015 at 5:32 PM I like this poem very much Jan Allison July 31, 2015 at 1:55 AM Thanks so much Aurore:-) hugs Jan xx

Tim Smith July 30, 2015 at 1:50 PM Great write Jan. It would have to be tough for anyone going through this...good luck Tim Jan Allison July 30, 2015 at 1:58 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 July 30, 2015 at 1:18 PM my.. i could hardly breathe, jan... filled with suspense!.. huggs Jan Allison July 30, 2015 at 1:30 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 July 30, 2015 at 1:06 PM Whew!great job! Can't wait to see how it does...Good luck! ~lee Jan Allison July 30, 2015 at 1:28 PM Thanks Lee - Frank the sponsor has blogged that he is leaving - I sincerely hope he doesn't :- ( Hugs jan xxx

Constance La France July 30, 2015 at 11:36 AM Jan, this is outstanding and fantastic 10+ and thanks for visiting my poetry and comments Jan Allison July 30, 2015 at 11:45 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 July 30, 2015 at 2:01 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 July 30, 2015 at 2:04 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 July 30, 2015 at 1:44 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 July 30, 2015 at 2:03 AM Thanks so much Arthur - Frank wanted a twist at the end - I hope he likes this one:-) hugs jan xx

Alexis Y. July 29, 2015 at 10:48 PM Just coming back to make sure I gave you a 7:-)Alexis Jan Allison July 30, 2015 at 1:41 AM Thanks that's really kind I do appreciate your support:-) hugs jan xx

Alexis Y. July 29, 2015 at 10:46 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 July 30, 2015 at 1:41 AM Thanks Alexis I just hope Frank likes it:-) hugs jan xx

Brenda Rose July 29, 2015 at 10:29 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 July 30, 2015 at 1:40 AM Thanks Brenda - Frank wanted a poem with a twist - I hope I have delivered that:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich July 29, 2015 at 9:20 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 July 30, 2015 at 1:39 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 July 29, 2015 at 9:03 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 July 29, 2015 at 9:12 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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