Psalm Contest

Psalm of the Heretics Saved

Oh, God!
You’ve taken my hands;
the blood spills onto the heathen soil of my birth!
The jaguar cannot help me.
The mighty pyramid rising past the trees
is a pride you’ve turned to shame.
You sent your messengers on canvass wings 
and they descended from the firmament 
as white as eyeless stars
and crossed the primordial water
to break my sinful ways. 
Oh, God!
I did not know you loved me so,
enough to take my hands.
You took my hands!
Your angels have taken my hands with their swords. 
Ropes could have been undone,
but this bondage is for all time. 
Lord, you have taken my hands
so I may never raise them against you,
nor adore the gods the forests gave my mother. 
I dare not raise my tongue against you
lest you take it too!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God in the highest;
I will sing your psalms.

Oh, God!
You’ve made of me a Salem lamb;
you’ve shorn my locks,
prepared me for the fire. 
My fat is crackling on my skin
as the smoke and flames of forgiveness rise.
Your faithful stand near, side by side and cheer.
I am not a witch; just a woman.
But I confess; I confess; as I try to break the ropes;
I confess both being a woman, and a witch.
I scream your praise with the scalding air that peels lungs.
as the smoke and flames of your forgiveness purify.
Oh, God!
I will not live long enough to escape your love;
this bondage is for all time.
There is no freedom from your salvation.
Lord, you have made me a lamb,
bleating and tender,
given to the shepherd, bloodied on his cross.
And for him I bleat!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God in the highest;
I will sing your psalms.

Oh, God!
I taught in the bushes like a bird,
as my people raised a circle of stones to join the sun and moon,
but I will not join the Sidhe when I die,
nor linger in the oaks as a light as light as the leaves.
My freedom was coiled within me 
like a snake with no cause to strike,
breathing clean air,
letting light fill my skin;
you came to claim my soul,
drive out the snake in me
that knew the valleys and emerald hills as well as if it had made them on its belly. 
No more white robes. 
No gold. No branches of yew. 
Urine filled ghettos of brick and wash and hunger.
Old memories ferment inside
like ouisce in amber bottles. 
Oh, God! 
This bottle is forever;
spirits 
escape my mouth,
but I will 
make
your praises.
Glory be God!
Glory to be God!
To be Glory, God highness,
and I will sing you salmons.


9/12/2019
sponsor: Regina Riddle

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



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Date: 9/27/2019 10:15:00 AM
This is an exceptional piece of writing. Many will write a lifetime and not write something as amazing as this one. I do not believe you to be an abomination. Your writing shows a depth of emotional maturity that is rare. I feel you are not beyond the reach of God’s blessing. Each breath is another chance.
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Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 9/27/2019 10:16:00 AM
I have added your poem to my favorites.
Date: 9/27/2019 4:33:00 AM
- Congratulations on your lovely winning poem, Jack :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 9/26/2019 10:49:00 PM
Congratulations and Bless you
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Webster Avatar
Jack Webster
Date: 9/27/2019 12:45:00 AM
Oh goodness; I didn’t even expect this to place. Thanks for the thought, dear, but I’m an abomination; and I’m okay with that. Save his blessings for those with a chance.
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