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Open Poetry #15
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RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533


0 posted 2001-08-30 11:36 PM


Guilt=gilt, once paid for.


Guilt comes with dawn,
the cloaked breastfeed,
the rushed diapering
with furtive glances,
elbowed outposts to strangers.

Whispered allusions of adults,
paranoia at successive siblings,
subsequent jealous guilt.

Overdressed nun's clear cut choice
and shame on you's,
parish priest's damning voices,
money for the starving missions.

Embarrassment of riches
relative trickling down
of guilt.

The land is full of graves.
An earth that eats us.
Hastily buried victims,
a quick snack.
Mausoleum morsels,
well packaged meals
sometimes available in family packs.

We walk on a globe of guilt.

Judges who would judge judiciously
should be required to own many mirrors.

Extreme Unction.

Please return the guilt
on the way out
that you were handed
on the way in.

Guilt goes with dusk
dust mixed in the sidewalks.

© Copyright 2001 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

1 posted 2001-08-31 12:01 PM


I don't always understand everything you write but I always read and enjoy it.
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

2 posted 2001-08-31 12:14 PM


Overdressed nun's clear cut choice
and shame on you's,
parish priest's damning voices,
money for the starving missions.
==============================
The land is full of graves.
An earth that eats us.
===============================
We walk on a globe of guilt.

Judges who would judge judiciously
should be required to own many mirrors.

Extreme Unction.

Please return the guilt
on the way out
that you were handed
on the way in.

Guilt goes with dusk
dust mixed in the sidewalks.
======================================

Websters Dictionary:

gilt (noun)

First appeared 15th Century

1 : gold or something that resembles gold laid on a surface

2 slang : MONEY

3 : superficial brilliance


extreme unction (noun)

First appeared 15th Century

: a sacrament in which a priest anoints and prays for the recovery and salvation of a critically ill or injured person
===========================

you taught me new words tonite...
thank you poet sir...
very clever writing...truth and wisdom.

"Failure is not in the falling down ...
it is in the not getting back up"


doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
3 posted 2001-08-31 12:20 PM


fine writing here.....
lines, phrases, images, ...

all very well crafted.

thanks for the read.

catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
4 posted 2001-08-31 08:17 AM


Oh, shades of Catholic school, which still haunts me.. Thankfully I was only there 2 years!
Excellent poem, I love the idea of handing the guilt back. Let's do it!
Sandra

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
5 posted 2001-08-31 08:25 AM


RSWells,
Enjoyed both poems, the one I see and the one between the lines.

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
6 posted 2001-09-01 07:48 AM


Someone said that Catholicism is one of the wealthiest foundations in the world. That's a lot of guilt? And gilt. But I know nothing of either (Not). It's everywhere you turn, even in our little Bible belt. Which is now the southern shame. Chapter 13 and 7 being the most used portions and Lawyers have a new religon. The Holy Charismatic Trinity
Where it is based on feeding consumers false doctrine of theologically based "ask and ye shall receive, and never have to pay back." So saith the Judge. Just rambling.   Wonderful how you make me think.

Sincerely,
Regina

[This message has been edited by rwood (edited 09-01-2001).]

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
7 posted 2001-09-01 07:57 AM


I think the guilt is handed down to us as a challenge

"They've got to be taught  before it's too late.
Before they are six or seven or eight
To hate all the things that their relatives hate
They've got to be carefully taught!"

Great poem full of a look at the wide picture from beginng to end ...it truly is a trip of experiences!

citizenx
Member
since 2001-07-31
Posts 189
motorcade
8 posted 2001-09-01 10:29 AM


RS, again you amaze me breathing fiery life into a subject tired and worn.

Written with subtlety and sharpness. Powerful words.  

"the blizzard of the world has crossed the threshold and it has overturned
the order of the soul" leonard cohen

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
9 posted 2001-09-01 12:36 PM


Gilted guilt,
dressed so bold,
an old message
gently re-told,
giltless,
and guiltfree

I especially like the image of judges surrounded by a wall of mirrors.

SmittenKitten
Senior Member
since 2001-06-20
Posts 1131
where the sky and horizon meet
10 posted 2001-09-01 12:59 PM


Wow...there's a lot to ponder here.  And like Janet Marie, I learned some new words and ideas!    

Nice one Richard!
~Krista  

"Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you.
And all you can do is to go where they can find you."
~Winnie the Pooh

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