Patricia Cresswell Poet Free verse

Repentance Again

repentance again

old women kneel in pews
dotted about the shadowed church
black splotches they float
among the incense clouds.
faces waxen like the flicker candles
raised, softened, in the stained glass light.

hands tightly curled into each other
black rosary beads clutched in woven need
black, black, scary black
repenting for the world of sin
carried in their voluminous souls.

timelessness pervades saturday confessions
it is all the days and nights of transgressions
large and small they roll down 
the passages of life 
to be laid at the feet of god
well oiled with words of penance.

ritual, mea culpa, contrition chanted.
scrubbed clean as their kitchens,
one by	one they arise, genuflect
and disappear into secularity.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

John Fleming October 14, 2017 at 2:31 PM A highly descriptive piece of verse, Patricia...I have to agree entirely with Freddie's excellent comments below; and yes -- you undoubtedly do have very acute powers of observation - superb poem!! All my very best, Patricia! :) john P.s Hope you are snugly secured and ready for the Winter! :) Patricia Cresswell October 14, 2017 at 3:17 PM Thank you John. One of my most favourite things is people watching.

Freddie Robinson Jr. October 14, 2017 at 5:20 AM I agree w/Maureen ... a deep, thought provoking poem, Patricia. Your elevated spiritual awareness is self-evident in the prose displayed. The last stanza is mind meld infolding, existential unloading. The depth of thought evinced in this poem is spiritually breathtaking. A magnificent poem by a talented poetess. My maiden voyage into your inviting sea of poetry was worth the plunge. Lord willing, I shall peruse your thought writes more. May love light your path always. Patricia Cresswell October 14, 2017 at 3:21 PM It was Saturdays usually after lunch when the Mdonnas would drift in on a cloud of prayer. Most dressed completely in black from head to toe. Thank you for reading and commenting on this poem. Freddie Robinson Jr. October 14, 2017 at 5:21 AM Btw ... great title. Love and more love always.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart October 12, 2017 at 7:43 AM Stunningly beautifully descriptive prodding piece Patricia :) xomo Patricia Cresswell October 12, 2017 at 3:42 PM Maureen this is or was a fairly common sight at my church in my youth. I wonder if they are still there in spirit. Thanks for reading and your kind comment.