concealment

concealment

 

 

 

preachers speak to a congregation

hiding their black souls

their envy, lust, gluttony

 

as they hold up the host

and hold up the conscience 

of the masses

 

who come to be absolved

and yet the preachers

need penance more than those they serve

 

contradictions

contraception inhibiting values

a sterile sermon

 

I fell asleep

the priest wept

went into the confessional

 

but could not be two places at once

even God wouldn't let him do that.

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/10/22

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

That old chestnut religion again. This evokes so many thoughts about people in places of responsibility and trust who do not live up to expectation. In fact they break all the rules and some of them have sickening consequences. A powerful write dear J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, Chris....I was one of the lucky altar boys.
but they sure do break rules.
and think God is on their side...
j.

[Tom]

Powerful, evocative brevity, religion, and man's perceived interpretation of same, the results of many clandestine, sickening wrongdoing shielded beneath that sacramental frock of hypocrisy ..

'contradictions

contraception inhibiting values

a sterile sermon '

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for understanding, Tom,
j.

[Vertigo Cat1111]

I loved this poem and find it extremely interesting. Priests and Preachers… ehhh, there’s so many people that do evil and wrong ‘in the name of God’ and get away with it. Religion isn’t to be handled lightly and to be used as a power to attack others we just don’t like. It’s just not for everyone and it’s not fair that people are attacked for who they are. Thank you so much for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think there is a major difference between spiritualism and organized religion....thank you, Vertigo.
j.

[Dave Brown]

All around us churches are becoming obsolete.
When my cousin, a Catholic priest, died of aids, I lost any last bit of respect I had in the ways of the church

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I can see why....the Catholic priests in general have become suspect for a myriad of reasons.
thanks, Dave,
j.

[Ken e Bujold]

have become? as bad as the current lot are they are choir boys in comparison to the period just prior to and after the Reformation. Hell, Pope Alexander VI tried to ensure his son succeeded him as pope

[Betty Hermelee]

preachers are an interesting breed.... I believe they are lonely, desperate characters without hope; and they conceal their feelings while trying to help people in confession; maybe it should be the other way around...poor priests the must heal and praise God at the same time.
( I don't thin you or I are real believers)... I love this poem..it's so true and your writing just makes it so metaphoric.
Best, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Betty...and I have to agree with all that you said.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

YAY!!! and you're very welcome J.
Best, B

[Pete]

i often wonder about what is hidden in the closets of priests, ministers, etc. as they're preaching a sermon, i think to myself, "what about you?" good stuff to chew on j. .. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, "what about you?"
I think the same...
thank you, Pete,
j.

[Maxwell Ryder]

Affairs of the heart are silently lodged within, but what right do they have to absolve me? Seek absolution within thyself.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it has to come from within....between us and God...no mediator needed.
thank you, Maxwell.read moreit has to come from within....between us and God...no mediator needed.
thank you, Maxwell.
j..

[Patricia Wedel]

Sacred words are blowing in the Wind… we are all one people learning to be Kind and show others by our example that we can survive with protecting Nature… the rain forests and clean water. The Forests are our Cathedrals. The Great Spirit will speak to us in the Thunder and Lightening… The offerings will be used to take care of all the Children being born as a result of Open Borders. Times are Changing. gently, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, the times are changing...Dylan needs to re-release that song...
thank you, Pat,
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

A 🎶 Song that rests in
My Soul…. thank you Jacob…. Pat

[Earthrise]

Another great piece, Jacob. I love the wordplay with contraceptive messages making sermons sterile, especially considering the way religion and all things pregnancy-related are playing into each other right now. This poem is a great reminder not to worship preachers- a reminder many need.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Earthwise,
j.

[Ken e Bujold]

i like you was raised catholic, and i cant tell you how many times I fell asleep in church, until my parents finally agreed best for all concerned if i just stayed in bed sunday mornings

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I was an altar boy....one of the lucky ones.
j.

[Ken e Bujold]

same here.