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Poetry


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Priest

By Talisker

27 November 2006

NOT autobiographical. But talk of altar boys reminded me of the apparent epidemic of abuse...

By caressing me Father,
you have sinned.
You alter boys
from within.

To touch the hem
Of holy robes,
hold the stem,
swing the globes,
Of burning incest.
What price to pay?

Altar this wine
if you can!
This blood, these tears,
are surely mine,
not God's.

Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
punish his transgressions,
for still he chose
to hear confessions,
stained by mortal sin.

Oli 27/11/06

Reviews

Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 27th November 2006

'You alter boys / from within' -- very moving, and a clever play on words. Glad this is not autobiographical.

Even Jesus did not have a lot of sympathy for people who abused children. I try to imagine pedophiles (or -phobes, as I often feel they really are, in essence) as children themselves, and I know that they too were once vulnerable and innocent. That they may have been abused themselves does not excuse their crimes, but it makes it their crimes more understandable.

Thoughtful poem.

Written by Phil (6713 comments posted) 27th November 2006

Powerful piece of work Oli. I think the restraint of your piece and the apparently simple words you use add to the emotional impact of this. I say 'apparently,' as I can spot more than one theme here.

I don't think this suggests that all priests abuse their position but does suggest that one who does can be almost inviolate in the eyes of the victim, for if god is not going to punish him, then who is?

Provoked a lot of thought.

Top stuff.

All the best,

Phil

Hit home
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3351 comments posted) 27th November 2006

When you focus your intellect and writing talent together on a piece you get a result like this. A powerful cogent poem that really moved me. This is a tricky subject and if handled clumsily, the point can be dismissed too easily but the restrained anger and carefully chosen words really hit home. Sometimes your stuff just makes me catch my breath.
I just dare you to send this to the Catholic Herald!
cheers
J

Written by ellipinnock (1753 comments posted) 28th November 2006

Jackpot, Oli. Focussed and fantastic, I like it as much the second time as i did the first.

Elli

Written by shakermaker (48 comments posted) 28th November 2006

Yeah agreed with Elli. Jackpot.

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