Compilation (for Lent)

by Peter Menkin

My confession is lifted up, and my mind is aware

that I am before God and man

seeking forgiveness--

The Lord be in your heart and upon your lips...

Do you notice the first thing said:

by his great mercy forgive you all your offenses...

For the failures of the body, the sins of the person,

and restore you in the perfect peace of the Church...

One says, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness...

For with my tongue I have said,

in my heart I have faulted,

with my body I have done for my corruptible flesh has brought me to sin.

May God in his love enlighten your heart...

Bring me to the light, take me from the dark,

as I cannot remember all my sins,

those forgotten and out of mind.

My meditation on my evil, my sweetness of good,

these I bring to you heavy laden.

--Peter Menkin

A compilation from "The Book of Common Prayer," these words remind one of, "The Reconciliation of a Penitent, Form Two," found on page 449.

A poem as poetic list, a list as poem about sin and confession...

This isn't a poem, it is a poetic list that poses as a poem. I also think it is a poem that is a list, that explains one of the things I do to stay in relationship to God. I think you will find it understandable; no secret message, here. Just work to do to keep things and my life straighter than not.

Another of my poems written five years ago, this one was also originally posted on The Atlantic Monthly Writer's Workshop on the internet. Today, should you go to the Reposte & Post section of the online Atlantic, you would find little action in the Writer's Workshop. Too bad, and a real loss for me because it was so helpful. Then in 2001 it was a lively and interesting group, often encouraging of my ambitions to write an acceptable poem--about God and Christ.

Returning to the poem posted here: Some people don't believe in formal confession, to a Priest. The Episcopal Church offers the sacrament of reconciliation, called confession. It is done one on one with a Priest, and is more a spiritual conversation. The practice as I know it allows the confessing to see the confessor. In other words, it doesn't take a dark room, but can be said in a chapel with no one else around to hear.

Moreso, this poem alludes to such confession, but I think you will find it covers the idea of setting things right with oneself and one's God. And with others in one's life. As you can see, I think it is a good practice and also a form of self examination. Certainly, it is a poem as confession since it tells the reader that I believe I am a sinner and do sin. That is a lot of public revealing, in itself.

Relief from burden and grievings
by Peter Menkin - 2001

Sin is
awareness that
forgiveness offers
the covetous,
and a long list
of human frailties more,
too numerous to name
relief from burden
and grievings of the soul.

What to do with sins
not in conscious.
Do not fret, listen
to your heart; be
still and know
that I am God. Live
with sorrow, embrace
joy, allow acceptance
of the human, eschew
evil. Know failure;
willingly embrace
humility. Tears.

Live life a friend
said. Yes!

Garden variety, thorns,
common knowledge, blindnesses,
bring my misgivings
to purity
~May I grieve You not
Lord~

You are good.

Yet I do.

Hear
my confession.