Intercession - by Shari-Lyn McArthur

Intercession 


My knees will pray the Rosary 
For I failed to count my blessings.
And Sister, she bends me over hard 
To administer joyful dressings.

I howl out, Sister! You married poor!
Father failed to make a dowry.
This lesson, Sister has taught before—
Now my knees will learn it, hourly.

I crawl to Sister over the beads 
For the touch of her luminous wisdom.
And Sister, she strokes my hair and prays 
For my tears, the juice of Christendom.

I howl out, Sister! You married low!
Father did not want to keep you.
This lesson, Sister will now bestow—
The wounds, the pain, the rescue.

So I'm kneeling on the Rosary 
For the touch of her sorrowful dressings.
And Sister, she takes me over her knee 
And I count her glorious blessings.

I howl out, Sister! Please! Teach me more!
Through the decades, be my guide.
I'm an open, empty, penitent whore
And Sister, she climbs inside.

Now my knees will pray the Rosary
For my Father failed to keep me.
And Sister, you're all he would have been—
Please, Sister! Sister, teach me. 

Comments

[Brian Edwards]

Is this another of your Dickinsonian pieces?

I'm no expert in metrical structure, but it is off in a few places right? Intentional probably.
A little repetitive? Dunno. The word Sister did start to grate to be honest.

Nits aside, it certainly held my attention.

B.

~

[Shari-Lyn McArthur]

Yes.

[Brian Edwards]

Yes x 3?

[Shari-Lyn McArthur]

Thanks for the read and the feedback, Brian. Yes x 3. Rhythm is purposely slightly off kilter, to reflect the off-kilterness yet at once socially-acceptable nature of the relationship. The piece is purposely repetitive, mirroring the counting of the rosary and the many, many repeats of the situation described. Heck, who needs their knees later in life, anyway? I am pleased that the word Sister did start to grate. I think this piece goes down on record as the one for which I did the most research ever.

I am done with this one and have posted it to my Portfolio. Ah, that feels good!