Rows of tall wax pillars
flickered their intercessive flames
for deceased loved ones.
Glass votive holders
bestowed ruby glow
onto Virgin’s likeness.
Veiled mourner slipped small donation
into wrought iron slot,
brushed taper over pristine wick,
then knelt on worn velvet cushion,
whispered fervent prayers
for release of husband’s soul.
Father heard confessions in a dark booth
destined for sinners' secrets.
Scattered in pews, nervous
schoolchildren squirmed,
as adult penitents fingered rosaries
to seal God's forgiveness.
Late afternoon light
pierced stained glass theme
of the Resurrection;
flooded sanctuary
with miraculous color.
No one noticed.
Joyce Josephson
Author notes
Sometimes we're so busy with our "devotions" to "assure" our place in heaven
that we fail to notice that our Salvation was already bought by Christ's redemptive act.
In a list
A contest entry
- FOR THE POETIC BANDITS by debilynn.
900 points, ended November 3, 2008, 9 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Memories of Childhood Church by Judith Chandler.
650 points, ended April 15, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 36 of 36
-
I am always awed by these sorts of details, in a poem or in a church, perhaps because it's almost completely unfamiliar to me.
Enjoyed your write. Congrats on your HM and nice to see this write again.
-
You Have Been Acknowledged
This is very beautifully written. I can tell you love God. I do too. I really enjoyed the read!!!
-
You have been acknowledged
Congrats on such a well written piece!!!!!!!
-
uplifting and healing....
thanks for this moving piece - although I am not religious, I appreciate the imagery and thoughts, took me back to younger times in church waiting for my turn in confessional.
You have been acknowledged!
-
"You Have Been Acknowledged"
Congrats on being Acknowledged this week. Your poem is very nice and I am glad to get a chance to read it. Keep on writing like this. You did great on flow and rhythm and meaning.
Nicole
-
-
Thank you very much!
-
-
YOU HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED
I so agree with your Author Notes. Loved the poem and the way you wrote it. Congrats on being Acknowledged by our group this week. Keep on penning.
Sam I Am
-
-
Thanks so much!
-
-
YOU HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED
Congrats on winning
this week to be acknowledged.
with this awesome poem
penned so well
hugs Angel♥
-
-
Thank you so much! What a surprise!
-
-
But
The Catholic way. And way to many memories. But tis an Irish faith that condemns my soul. Oh the visions you have recreated in this tortured mind.
-
-
Why would faith condemn your soul?
Thanks for the comment and clappies.
-
-
Joyce the last line just grabbed me! your message in this write is so profound. You certainly have made me realise how we need to pay attention to what is going on around us.
Gold should have been the color of your trophy!!!
love
Mary
-
Nice write.
Thank you for entering my contest. -
AMEN to the message of this poem. So often we're listening to Man and forget that God is the one we should truly be listening for and watching for. We miss signs like that from Him all the time it seems like. This poem is excellent. A beautiful reminder to pay attention a little more to what's going on.
-
-
Lovely imagery, a softness as I read came over me,
reminds me of when I've asked for something then I wait and I think I guess it was'nt meant for me then I realize that I have recieved the gift I asked for but just not in the way I pictured it...yes we must slow down and enjoy the gift of everyday life.
I came her to thank you for joining in on the spotlighted poem I am so glad I did
-
I love this, Im about to head out to church, to host the children's liturgy, and I think maybe I will talk to them a little about what your poem taught me, this is a wonderful gift on a sunday morning
Thankyou so much, have a wonderful day
-
This poem was a beautiful reminder of the churches I attended as a yound lad. It was beautiful, THanks
-
so many things go unnoticed and that is a shame I felt this to be a very moving write keep doing well love the rev papa
-
excellent~
Wow
I can see why you won on this one
My hubby was Catholic until he moved here in this baptist community and when his parent's was alive we went with them to their Catholic church so I know a lil something about it.....not totally in the dark LOL
Very beautiful...
And quite the reflecting moments...
I really like these lines..........
Late afternoon light
pierced stained glass
theme of Christ risen;
flooded sanctuary
with miraculous color.
Again congrats on the win
Hugs
Your sis
Susan~~~
-
Lovely images and emotion in this!
I'm not Catholic, so don't understand some of items used in their worship - but know that to them, they are important.
but it is sad that sometimes we focus so much on the 'rituals' that we don't notice the beauty of creation all around us.
Nice job! I enjoyed this.
-
-
THanks for reading this, aboomer! You basically get the gist of what I'm saying.
These "rituals" we "perform" can blind us to the
reality that our future home has been secured for us.
In some faiths (such as my own, though I don't agree)
the emphasis is on earning salvation.
-
-
Should have been a gold trophy on this one
So true you are I know he is about me everywhere and always he so whispers love in my mind and it flows out my fingertips for my love for him is my everything
-
Well,
I can't honestly imagine a church without statues and candles. Sad that some have become so 'progressive' as to take them out, remove the tabernacle to the side room instead being behind the high altar...hard to explain, but there's something of tradition there, something soulful that dates well into the early days of Christianity and the veneration of matryrs. -
-
Do you "get" what I'm trying to say in this poem?
I think I'm going to remove my author notes, they may be confusing some people. -
-
Yeah, I get the notes;
but sometimes you feel more comfortable talking to someone who's already been through the works and now closer to Him, than we earthly sinners are.
We all have our own methods of talking to God that appeal more to ourselves than others. No matter; God is all that counts, and the saints would all agree.
-
-
-
Great write best to you in the contest.
-
This took me back to sitting in the chapel at the school I boarded at. Although I have to confess the actual services didn't mean much to me, the aspects the golden rays of early morning and late afternoon sun created were just delightful. They cast an almost mystical glow upon the heads of those in their path, making them appear to be wearing halos. It was beautiful.
Thank you for conjuring this warm memory, and reminding us all of the beauty to be found in those quiet, reflective moments in church ~ if we seek them out.
Best of luck in this contest.
-
this was very nice. I loved the last line also cause all to often we miss things like this when so much tradition set in. Great job on this
-
well written, good rhythm and rhyme. wonderful imagery. i love the last line 'No one noticed.' this has deeper meaning than what you see on the surface. thanks for shring. keep writing! thanks for entering. God bless you always
-
-
Thanks, Sis. I was going to make it more obvious, but then I thought I'd leave it subtle.
No more candles to pay for and light, though, which I think is good.
Catholics have been distracted by these "other practices" for too long, I think. I think more of us are beginning to figure out what is essential to our faith.
-
-
You have shared insight and good observations into a special scene of life. This is well written with excellent imagery and tone. Well Done!
Good luck in the contest.
Dennis
-
I do think that this is an interesting piece I know that in life it takes alot to get people to notice things thanks for sharing and good luck be well
-
Wow! This is very good. I have often wondered why so many 'things' were prayed to, or used to pray. I am not Catholic, so these things have always been a mystery to me. This poem shows that if we aren't looking in the right place, we will miss what is intended for us. Good luck in the contest Sis
-
-
You got it, Sis! Just what I was aiming at. Thanks!
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 36 of 36
