COPD

 

“Breathless” by Rachel Nelson

 

dead lungs

black bladders

hang stiffly

from sins in a

crumbling cage

every breath

drawn at rest

nonetheless

a pained labor

for tissues

time turned

into lifeless

sere parchment

the least-made

exertions

trip desperate

cascades of

deep gasping

a breathlessness

drowning in

indifferent air

inescapable

penance for

nonchalant folly

offending the

most precious

gift of a life

penance now

come to due

during this

the last phase

of my moon

Antediluvian

“Day One” by Yoram Raanan

rain washes dirt
from feet of our conscience
it rinses off paths
paved with transgressions
rain gives us a moment
apparently clean
or sometimes an hour
to reckon a deeper set stain
but rain’s not enough
to clean slates
it requires a flood
to destroy our destructions

Confessional

“Reconciliation” by Daniela Isache

(Originally posted February 2014)
 

sin sweats in my shoes
fragrant as the Eden tree
incense and penance

Atonement

“Repentance” by Nicholas Roerich

 

ripping reams of apologies
demonstrates nothing
they die upon heartbroken ears
blow away on the stench
deep transgression emits

remorse draws no mercy
unless and until it’s performed
over gradual time through
repeated acts of repentance
despite their repeated rejection

wounded trust can’t be healed
without proof of sincerity
promises must persevere when
you’re lucky enough to have
even a slim second chance

best would be to remember
the motto that hangs in the streets
over doorways to life
if you can’t do the time
then don’t do the crime

otherwise
the hairshirt
is yours
my friend

Hairshirt

Hairshirt
Photo from thecatholicsciencegeek.blogspot.com

thief of dignity
like lake mud
that pulls at
one’s essence
sucks it down
into muck
in the murk
swirling reckless
impurities
spoiling the
years of clean
motives a good
life remembered
by one grave
mistake head
forever hung
down in that
posture of
shame clad
in mortified
homespun that
penitent weave
only men of
true conscience
can know
how to wear

Citrus

Photo from cher-homespun.blogspot.com

curled orange peels singed by blue flames
lift their fragrant identity
up throughout long-shuttered rooms
chasing musty ghosts eager to leave
through the new-opened windows
that once muffled sounds of their sins

burning fruit on the altar of past
indiscretion helps usher
a ritual cleansing
a freshening drawn through the rafters
and beams that allows this old structure
its welcome collapse into purity

transplantation of timbers now
animates lives gentle carpenters
work to refurbish
old millwork frames fresh scented character
carried with dignity knowing
that damnable site now breathes free