Best Penitent Poems
Lord--
turn not away Thy face
Thou desirest not the death of a sinner
Thou desirest for men to come unto Thee
so that Thou mayest gather them
the way a hen gathers her flock
i have not been true to Thee
i have not harkened to Thy voice
11/3/07
*Image of A Universal Star by Private Stock.
A Penitent Soliloquy
It is in junctures like these that I encounter myself
traversing a meadow of spring colors just yon the lea
where purples and pinks contest further
plus blues delivering pursuit for an actual take.
In the completeness of the stretched out rivalry
as its foremost spectator wavered I in gratefulness
for its breathtaking rainbowed exhibition of magnificence
existed through our ambitious custodian in heaven.
Reluctantly, yielded I to my reason for it lay
just round the bend farther than the footing of
lowly chaparrals fronting the forest boundaries
like sentries of some consecrated hearth.
Unexpectedly, a window of circumstance burst
open from the back of me and as slightly revolved I,
beaming rays shot back hosting a flurry of blue jays
landing within the shrubs thrashing about till only a chorale of tweets were heard.
Again, found I a pensive motivation rallied to fruition by song, nonetheless, the journey must I and the pathway didst return me towards shallowed trees until giant redwoods rounded themselves about me.
A laden rock, the purpose of me being at that spot, was a makeshift altar stone where cometh I to pray, amidst the ambiance of consolation, the serenity of solitude and isolation factors in profound deliberative candor.
All that I've seen and heard this day, truly believe I to bear witness of your awesome omnipotence, your overwhelming omnipresence, and your omniscient being overall, I come humbly before you in supplication.
On penitent knees, I beseech you oh heavenly father as I look upon thy countenance I pray, forgive me of the iniquities that shamefully bore I and give me the strength to shed off the wiles of evil so that I may be your good and faithful servant, unto you, Lord the Father, Lord the Son, and Lord the Holy Spirit, I pray, Amen and Amen!
2022 January 29
*10th Place*
Repent and Believe
~~Regina McIntosh: Judged 2022 January 30
What joy!
My prayer's answer has surpassed passion's deepest well
And I am raised from my despair to grace's height
By poetry, that only sought to vent emotions,
Never dreaming another might consider it art
Or that friendship might be found in my verse.
Now even if sadness rules the earth,
My pen's ink will stain the page with joy,
My muse exult with no remorse,
Expectations of being used but a shadow of the past,
For I have felt the loving support of a stranger to my life,
And now my most intimate dreams are
Simply of sharing this precious gift with you!
Brian Johnston
February 12, 2016
Poet’s Notes:
Inspired by Abekah Emmanuel’s poem on PoemHunter.com
called “Forever Grateful.”
My gypsy, mystic, music soul dances in ellipses
Down pathways of holy manta mandalas.
Ritualistic, shamanists trace circles in painted sand,
And, I stand in boots of slavery,
Like a penitent at the altar,
Seeking entry permission at
The vulvic door of your love.
You wallow in anguished, angry fear,
Hungering with your eyes.
the rosey velvet treasure clutched
Like crumbled heart-shaped chocolate dreams-
Of Valentine's Days forgotten.
You never even got a card.
It still hurts you deep inside;
Down in your "long ago".
Leaving teardrops like a breadcrumb trail,
My robber's feet run rampant
Trampling, as I scamper,
The Lilacs left before your door.
When you relent from your sorrow;
Stop paying interest on debts you don't owe,
You'll find me at the local pool-hall
Shooting darts and talking low,
On the pay phone in the back.
If I should wake to live another day
my soul would surely burst with boundless joy.
On pious knee I would fervently pray,
repentant soul would actively deploy.
A full day of blessèd atonement wide,
a soul on mission to pay its penance.
Rapidly strolling with refreshing stride,
repentance on recent fair countenance.
A purposeful action of ascesis,
my heart would be uplifted from its shame.
A length of golden thread from Lachesis
exonerating my well-deserved blame.
Freed from infernal Hell I gladly die,
blissful smile as my soul ascends the sky.
Oh how I loved you, and I still very much do.
My world feels as though it’s going to end soon,
But no, I’d much rather spend the rest of it with a friend.
But really there’s no such person, that’s better suited, than you.
Not so hard to repent
Don't mind if I do
for the fabric I've rent
in my relationship with you
I'm so sorry, please forgive me
I'll never hurt you again
How's that? ... Mere words, you say
Just so ~ A woman who understands men