Terry Robinson Poet Free verse

Misanthropist Keeper of Sins

Don't lie to me. Don't half-truth to me,
like some craven jar, wide of mouth and
full of capricious weather. And never sing 
to me tunes not of your own making

I am not yours to pawn, as a wastrel parts
with heirlooms hard won.
I may be your grey,  but I am not your palette.
I may be your shoe, but I am not your sole

You may try to stand me next to many, 
but I stand alone, tethered to stark 
isolation.You gift me a nuance of cheer, 
like a catcus gifts colour to a desert,

only to rescind it and fortify it beyond all approach.
My only light shall come from giving. As receiving of 
you brings me nothing but shadows within shadows, 
where light remains an unreachable horizon

Each charitable memory may be owned by you, but they
shall never be ascribed to you. They fly tainted upon the 
wind. You demand my will, my beating existence, like the
Laird demands his tithe and insufferable Prima Nocta

So, I choose supplication as my sword, lest my tempest 
rage beyond the pail and call false my humility and mild manner

Let yours be the kingdom of hubris and jurisdiction, as
mine shall be to serve and tender. For, one day I shall
rightly inherit that which is mine.

So, don't use me, don't bruise me, nor bring me down whole.
Don't cut me, don't  gut me, nor rip out my soul.
For I am Pax. The Kiss of Peace and witness to the Crucifixion.
Forgiver of your sins in the present and yet to come.

You may own the earth, but I await your soul

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Keith Bickerstaffe December 21, 2015 at 3:35 PM A very powerful piece, full of strong language and visceral imagery... there are two many phrases to single out one for special mention, so I'll say they are all magnificent. BRAVO Terry! Best wishes, Keith Terry Robinson December 21, 2015 at 3:57 PM Glad you enoted it. One of my favourites. Psalm 23 Keith Bickerstaffe December 21, 2015 at 3:36 PM Whoops! 'too' K.

Rainbow Promise November 20, 2015 at 3:56 PM A soul-emptying confrontation with the Misanthropist. In the last stanza, Pax forgave, the bruises and the abuse, the misuse; promising to do so in the present and what might still be done in future! Good write Terry. Thanks for sharing. RP. Terry Robinson November 20, 2015 at 4:45 PM Thanks