Thomas Hall
Betrayal
In the home, the house of lies,
acquainted with fear
loveless discipline of holy women
she learnt all expected to survive,
was never a child, ever a victim.
The priest, roly-poly man
ultra-kind, strictly mannered,
taught the doctrine of love and peace
then depressed her down, with bewildering touches
and a dress, stained with excitement.
She matured her escape into womanhood,
love, sex, ruined in her head
damned, to regular therapy
sickened by memories of what came next,
only safe, in withdrawal of self.
On a day when too-much snapped
with the couldn’t-care-less
of loaded gun,
she sought out, roly-poly man
made - her confession.
‘Forgive me father, I’m about to sin,
father, tell me true,
is it wrong
to exterminate a demon,
to consign to hell, a creep like you?’
Page(s) 49
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