Who stands in earthly judgment of my soul,
prepared to read the will of the divine;
to banish me from grace with woeful toll
extinguishing the essence that is mine?
With pomp and wealth presumed to glorify,
the priests insert themselves as middlemen
and cast aside us wretches who defy;
the status quo preserved with an amen.
The book slams shut on my salvation hope
consigning me to hell’s eternal fire.
Do I appeal to God or to the Pope
to enter heaven’s gate as I aspire?
The ritual complete, I am bereft...
a hollow heart is all that I have left.
Author notes
prompt: bell, book and candle - an archaic form of excommunication
In a list
A contest entry
- Shakespearean Sonnets by masterblaster.
6500 points, ended December 14, 2008, 16 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
How do you think I could improve this poem?
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Hi, lovely sonnet, if I wanted to look for hairs on the egg I would have said my salvation's hope, lovely write, Di
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Wow. This is amazing. My dear poet, when it comes to Sonnet - there is no one more skilled. Exceptional. You nailed this prompt with beautifully rich, mature, and distinguished language.
Wonderful poetry. Simply wonderful. Bravo! ~Pamela
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Thank you for your wonderful comment. I enjoy different rhyming forms, as you know, and the sonnet is my favorite. I am pleased that you entered this contest also, and I hope that we both will elevate our writing through friendly competition and commenting. I'm off to comment on your poem. Peace, Liz
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Hey Liz, this is a great poem you wrote! Good luck in the contest
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Thank you, Kelly for taking the time to read and comment on my poem. I appreciate your kind words. Peace, Liz
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Immaculate form, and a very tough subject. Not one that could be addressed briefly in a comment, but with sentiments with which many folks would identify. The tone is really well done... one of offense and yet done with class. The final couplet gives a slightly different edge, shows a deeper cut. Perfectly done!
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Thank you for your lovely comment. I find that contests that center my thoughts on a specific target are easier for me to write. This one was fun because I needed to do some research before I could write, and I learned something new. I wish I could write free verse as you do, but for the moment I think in rhyme. Peace, Liz
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