at the meetings

at the meetings

 

 

relevance is a kiss after midnight

in the back seat of sobriety

a bar stool empty for days

 

a pew full of souls

toasting to redemption

a finite word in a missal 

 

the scope of wine in a chalice of causal boundaries

pretzels to soothe the dry throat with the salt of old wounds

confessions are an assumption of guilt

 

not necessarily a double shot of forgiveness

and that kiss, it mattered once

before the ice cubes melted in her mind

 

love found its way into a heart's steeple

as the chimes went quiet

amens became amends shattered like weak wine glasses

 

mute penance

thought through a screen

of sins soaked with mesh regret---

 

and deceitful contrition.

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/10/18

Reviews

[AYVID N]

No words I have for the brilliance of the imagery in this poem. The disenchantment for an institution felt by the poet is conveyed to the reader subtly, with deft strokes of a masterful pen.

Indeed, words like forgiveness and redemption roll off so easily from the tongues of some entitled to preach salvation.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, DIVYA---
j.

[Norman 223]

And the following week - "a repeat performance". But the obligations have been observed.
However,you have always been more subtle than me in your diatribes, Jacob.
N.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Norman.
j.

[Chris]

I wonder at the train of events that brought on this thought flow... a fair parody on a religious themed backdrop BUT... seems pretty centrist (is that the right word? I'm sure you get my drift, after all it IS 5 A.M.) in its depiction.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting .....i always appreciate your responses, Chris....Centrist?
i grew up watching hypocrites, and wondered what it all meant...
j.

[Chris]

yeah - we "lived" it didn't we...but it's we that labeled the them as hypocrites back then - but were they really? They were "products" of their own social and societal understandings and perceptions.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, and my parents' generation...as i grew up i saw it...all about perceptions and appearances...moreso than just being who we are, we were told who we are.
thanks, Chris...for the morning chat---and your wisdom of things.
j.

[Chris]

I'ld love sitting in on your classes... chuckling here. I KNOW I would learn a good bit AND hear a lot more!

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Choices we make take us to where we are in time- sometimes can’t be controlled emotions overflow and take control- knowing wrong from right is wisdom and if we know what’s right why do wrong- I believe there’s only so many mistakes one can make- we get given chances over and over but all things do come to an end on that fine day- we alone must listen to our confessions and work through emotions and make a change- if we don’t nobody can help us and living in the past destroys you- we live and hopefully learn and grow and change- great words🌹

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and sooner or later the truth will catch up...sincerity may be questioned...thank you, Kelly.
j.

[Stella Armour]

I do not see why people have to explain their actions to a priest, no one is perfect, we all make mistakes and our own conscience knows that we should not make the same mistake again. Guilt stays with us and a few religious words does not absolve what we have done... does it?
No one is free from guilt, only our own true selves can make redemption if redemption is possible ..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

always wondered those things myself, Stella...
thank you for your words and understanding.read morealways wondered those things myself, Stella...
thank you for your words and understanding.
j.

[Karmee]

Wow I really love the imagery involved in your write, this is amazing and one to ponder one.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, drifter.
j.

[Karmee]

not a problem

[andrew mitchell]

The confessions at the catholic church seem so degrading to me and why some carry that much guilt. I could not follow a God that you must fear. Another pondering Gem Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, andrew.
j.

[J. J. Nightingale]

Anonymous..Anonymous Sanctorium ..
Regrets meet to bare their souls
Spirits not allowed
Names are simply given
Redemption may be sipped
from a kool-aid filled chalice ...

Interesting indeed !!!

Jazzy

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Jazzy.
j.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are welcome jacob.....................:).........

[Lydia Shutter]

Hmmm.....penance through a screen? Confession perhaps? Lots of references to Catholicism in this one. While I can not identify with that specifically, I can identify with losing beliefs as we age....from any religion. So much happens and we wonder why a benevolent being would allow it all. As always, well written, Jacob. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Lydi.
j.

[sette]

there will always be a silent understanding among men when they gathered for a certain meeting. They are also the only ones who can understand what other men are experiencing whether they are strangers or friends, the camaraderie is sudden and lasting. That is what I find interesting in a man, no matter how he tries to hide the emotions especially pain still in the end it can be revealed openly. This poem reminds me of one of my best friends' meetings which I was able to understand later on. Sorry for the long review Jacob, this poem is enlightening.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i appreciate your words, sette.
j.

[sette]

you are very much welcome