Bless me Father, for I have sinned.
You arrive, I think, as evidence
of moral transgression,
egregious error,
the familiar missteps I take —
detours, cause of my misfortunes.
But with space and time —
this gift of a quiet mind —
I see you as just the opposite,
reflection of what I do right……….each time:
dive in, head first,
hold my breath, come what may,
suffer slings and arrows later
(suffer poetry perhaps).
It has been 30 years since my last confession.
Sarton says “one either keeps growing and changing or one begins to fossilize, take your choice.”
I would choose you over and over again,
for I will be no rock that sinks to the bottom,
forgetting to feel that deliberate, sure pull of tide.
Amen.
Words ©2014, Jen Payne
IMAGE: Woman Diving into Water, Paul Cezanne, 1870.
Quote: May Sarton, Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing
Dive in, head first.
This is what gets it done, one way or another. Stagnating is not a choice. Not for me. Not for you.
Hold your nose and dive into a pool of faith. Amen!
Agreed! xoxo
Your poems inexorably make me curiouser and curiouser about all the parts of your life that I don’t know…And make me think of things in my life that are waiting to be examined…!
Couldn’t ask much more of a poem, IMHO…
XO
I can think of no better comment a writer would want to hear, my friend…thank you! xoxo
Bless me, sister diver for it has been thirty -four years since my last confession….to a collared one…and two hours ago to a fellow diver. Great swimming with you Jen.
Always good to have company in the deep. : )
Great lines! And I love how you’ve paired them with a Cezanne. :-)
Thanks – I was deee-lighted to find the Cezanne to go along! You know how that is!