Morning Mass

Morning Mass

 

 

the frail woman in mourning

her back-alley husband

has collapsed into 

Sainthood

the Meek shall inherit the earth

she read once when she could read

and felt almost human

 

long ago she sat in a church and prayed

until life took her to where there were

only cardboard steeples

and the only bells she heard

were the sound of empty bottles

clanging

 

now her hands

once folded in prayer

reach out for alms

a benediction

into poverty.

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/10/24

Reviews

[Soren]

What I read here is the hypocracy of the sanctimonious and passing the buck to God to take care of others while we sit and pray. Words are easy actions make the difference. A poem of harshness and coldness of religion and people

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, such coldness...thank you, Soren,
j.

[Pete]

... and blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. i guess they won't be passing the collection plate at this service.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

nope, no collection plate...
thanks, Pete,
j.

[Marie]

You have captured the reality of a poor widow superbly in this very thought provoking poem, dear J... There is a vast difference between a rich widow and a poor widow and there is no help from the church for its followers because when they are poor they become 'The Unknown'. Now, the dear lady has to beg for alms to try to survive from day to day. Very poignant! The title of the poem drew me in to read it. Excellent inking! Thank you for sharing, J...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Marie,
j.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, J...

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Oh my. so much sorrow radiates from this piece. grief is the hardest emotion to deall with

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Cowboy,
j.

[redzone]

People deal with life and death in many different ways. And while some may throw some loose change into her cup, they have no real understanding as to why or how she is in this position. Oh, they may judge or have assumptions about her life, but they have no clue, mainly because they do not want to know the reasons, or her.

Thanks for this poem of 'empathy', Jacob. You make her human and not a 'sinner'. A human being who has not been able to deal with her husband's death. A poignant picture of the descent into 'no hope".

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Curt,
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Life and death passes faith when reality hits home.. when grief alters the shape of the planet, loss and tears leave a chapter without an end in sight. From then the editor, the writer, the sufferer loses his or her place, turns over too much of nothing. Life sinks into a clinking, empty, rasping void. Perhaps.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your insightful words, em,
j.

[red93]

Fabulous JEC how you get inside the head of the poor woman, really well realised and expressed. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, red, I was hoping to do just that.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

We live in a place of Peace and safety; however, it can change at any moment… ♥️ Heart murmurs and shallow breathing keep us humble as the Wind wanders through the Trees. Amen 🙏 Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, shallow and silent breathing so that we can hear danger coming at any moment.
be safe dear pat.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Safe as a Bird on Wing who nests in a Sycamore tree… the seeds left scattered will matter when Winter Snows will be the Cover over a Shelter under an Eve until the Sunrise smiles.. softly, Pat