the wages of sin...

crooked lines on bent wrists 

stemming from a contorted crucifix 

bathing our tanned skin in poisoned holy water 

indoctrinate the blue boys with their indigo lips 

wishing to sip the nectar of God 

milk and honey colored flesh turns crimson in the witching hour 

scrapes and scars adorn babies and bedsides

serving as tally marks and placeholders for a cinnamon-scented embrace and wet kisses 

a well-deserved punishment 

fleshy and red, escaping my chest  

pulsating quicker than before 

bore in the crook of my elbow 

slipping out 

falling in my lap 

harder than ever to conceal

Reviews

[Poetrylover]

This is an interesting poem every word served a purpose. I concurr with other poets reviews too well written!!

[Coyote Poetry]

No wasted words in the poem. Each statement with purpose and meaning. Sin, part of us. Hard to be good and life temptations are always near. I felt the deep thoughts and I believe, all we can do. Is our best. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[barleygirl]

I've been surrounded by howling bible-thumpers, but never got into organized religion myself. I love how your poem is so dynamic in the ways you describe distortions & also you bring in all the senses, so the vivid sensations are banging. The chaos your poem inflicts is how my head feels when trying to reason with someone who's quoting scriptures at me like weapons (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

I dislike organised religion and stay away from it. I used to go to church, but didn't like the way the church was selective as to whom they welcomed. Even now they still don:t accept everybody. That's where you took me with your lines. A well written poem.

Chris

[Nearly Blonded]

yeah you for sure captured what i was trying to show. while i’m no longer a fan of organized religion much like yourself, i did keep my faith although i don’t associate with a lot of the close minded people that attended my old church. thank you for these reviews. :)

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think religion is contorted...especially the Catholic religion these days...with the abuse, and how it just gets moved from diocese to diocese...but isn't really dealt with enough by the church...And having been an altar boy when i was a kid, this hits home...our priests were luckily okay...but i saw so many come to church, act all religious...and then be the meanest people all week long.
this has a lot of meaning for me...having shied away now from organized religion...God is in our hearts and how we treat others...
j.

[Nearly Blonded]

i couldn’t agree more. thank you for your words and i’m glad that my writing connected to someone.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This flows well
I could sense what you were talking about as a line drawn between life and death. Someone should beware of being encapsulated in hemness by some luring activities of some enchanting girls/women.
I don't know if I get the picture clearly.
Thanks for sharing this piece.

[Nearly Blonded]

thank you. i was more so talking about the way some aspects of religion can be harmful (and were harmful) to the way i felt about myself as someone in the LGBT community/talking about the pain people like me can and will eventually go through. i appreciate this review tho. :)

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Alright.
It's my pleasure reading this too.