you  
called me  
"Father"  
your palm 
pressed  
so intimate  
and  casual  
a weight 
upon my chest ²   

leading me 
to offer  
my confession ³  
from the other side  
I listened  

you  
wept hyssop ⁴  
breathed wine 
from such  
mortal confusion 
and bitter faith 
a prodigal ⁵ 
pressed beyond  
human endurance 
  
I watched 
candlelight trapped  
in a tear   
I watched 
such a human 
sadness  
fall  

upon absolution  - ⁶ 
lacking  
the power 
to grant,  
forgive 
or receive 

you 
helped me 
to remember  
my contrition ⁷  
gave me penance  
then asked  
that I pray for you -  

I did  
wondering  
all the while 
who 
would pray for me.  

-jbk  
3january1998 
17february1998 
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