[Curtain drawn,
ornate lattice,
I run.]
Your Father hears you. Lay down your sins in front of Him.
He will forgive if you speak truthfully
[I try to scream.
I choke on familiarity.]
When you speak from your heart, Your Father
can save you from your past failures. If you turn towards the light-
[I lost my voice,
so I run.]
Our Father will cleanse you from your sins, as He
expects you to do likewise.
[My father had beaten the sin out of my body,
when he found me sinning in a way he couldn’t
understand. ]
In the beginning, Our Father
created the Heavens and the earth;
and He spoke from his mouth-
[ A cold screeching along the air.
Dust settles on my shoulders.]
Tempted and cast out of paradise! But Our Lord
forgave us, sacrificed His son for our sins.
[Empty forgiveness for an empty sin
of a little flesh, of a little death,
but-boys, green-carnationed,
love devoured, damned passion. ]
Our Lord
created pure-hearted humans,
jewels of creation.
[ A diamond on a ring, pure and hated. Riches
to stuff your pockets, stuff my mouth, choking
divine guilt.
A broken diamond, ring on finger. Once pure,
now full of hatred
A shattering in the palm of a hand, crushed worthless
and left to rot ]
Your Lord
will forgive you if you do not doubt and
believe evermore. If you repent.
[Born a jewel, forced a sinner.
My legs become sore on the hard velvet.]
Three Hail Marys for you.
[I’m a poor sinner for existing. I believed.
Why couldn’t you? Love the devil you created!
Blissfully, Prometheus on a cross.
A delight nowhere found but in scars.
Have you now finally grown a voice, or only a mouth?]
In the name of the Father…
[Father make it stop. I’m no devil, no less than you are father.
Silent devourer of hearts you seem to be stuck, too.
Where have you been to forgive now. ]
… and the Son…
[I want to go to heaven. But I’m scared.
See the wonders you are bringing! Please, tell me,
you are satisfied. ]
… and the Holy Ghost.
[My tears wet the velvet I’m sitting on…
My feet shake on the boards that once meant the world to me….
My teeth rip my flesh apart, the taste of blood is so comforting… ]
Amen.