Father, Forgive Me (for I have sinned)

There's no Conscience without hypocrisy. The best of us have nothing to confess.

FATHER, FORGIVE ME (for I have sinned)

Dearest, forgive me, for I have strayed.

Apologies will never mend the trust my acts betrayed.

I slept with women left and right (as their shy and helpless prey):

egged on by liquor, drugs, and “friends”, I humped the nights away.

But I’d never cheat on you, my love! I’m yours and yours alone;

a victim of the world am I. The fault was not my own.

Children, forgive me, for I have erred.

I gambled all your dreams away…I must have been impaired.

Your mother should have raised you right! Our schools are second rate!

Those kids you run with, curse the stars, have sabotaged your fate!

And though the neighbors can’t contain their horror or their shame,

a victim of the world am I. I’m not the one to blame.

Mother, forgive me, for I have failed.

The son you raised to lead the way became the son who trailed.

I tore the wings off butterflies, but I was younger then…

if only you’d survived to see me walking tall with men!

I pray that in the afterlife, sweet angel, you’ll divine:

a victim of the world am I. The blame cannot be mine.

Fellas, forgive me, for I have veered.

Your pal has left you hanging--I guess things got too weird.

I know I’ve let you down, you guys; it’s like I’ve been off-track--

when things got tough I always split…but hey, I came right back.

Through ups and downs this dude remains a buddy worth his salt!

A victim of the world am I. It’s never been my fault.

Father, forgive me, for I have sinned--

this selfless soul who flutters like a white dove in the wind…

your righteous, helpless, hapless, genial, gentle, generous friend…oh, father

…this church, this grate--they’re all I’ve ever craved.

I’ve hoed my row, I’ve run my race; I’ve come here to be saved.

So father, please…a pledge, a vote, a shout-out from the heart

to let the Big Guy know I’ve been behind Him from the start.

I’ve championed His Word, I swear, though tempted o’er the years.

Tell Him how I’ve suffered, sir, for family and peers.

His soldier, His tool, His servant…

Dammit! His child! Completely free of blame!

Just a wink, a nudge, and two thumbs-up. A holy hearty nod

for guileless little Me, who once upon a time became

the victim of a sinful world…a star maligned…

a mortal sworn to shame--this slandered saint…

this exemplar…this martyr, ah,

this humble man of God.

Don’t miss my collection of poems

Out Of The Whirl

available on Amazon at:

Out Of The Whirl: Sanders, Ron: 9798671245547: Amazon.com: Books

My stories collection Wild Stuff is also available on Amazon, at:

Wild Stuff: The Collected Tales Of Ron Sanders - Kindle edition by Sanders, Ron. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

TALK TO ME at: [email protected]

Author's Note

Please be sure to check out Faces and The Fartian Chronicles.
Thanks.
Ron.