First Confession, 1961 - X. J. Kennedy (1929-)
Blood thudded in my ears. I scuffed,
Steps stubborn, to the telltale booth
Beyond whose curtained portal coughed
The robed repositor of truth.
The slat shot back. The universe
Bowed down his cratered dome to hear
Enumerated my each curse,
The sip snitched from my old man's beer,
My sloth pride envy lechery,
The dime held back from Peter's Pence
With which I'd bribed my girl to pee
That I might spy her instruments.
Hovering scale-pans when I'd done
Settled their balance slow as silt
While in the restless dark I burned
Bright as a brimstone in my guilt
Until as one feeds birds he doled
Seven Our Fathers and a Hail
Which I to double-scrub my soul
Intoned twice at the altar rail
Where Sunday in seraphic light
I knelt, as full of grace as most,
And stuck my tongue out at the priest:
A fresh roost for the Holy Ghost.
There's a wonderful gift that can give you a lift,
It's a blessing from heaven above!
It can comfort and bless, it can bring happiness --
It's the wonderful Magic of Love!
Like a star in the night, it can keep your faith bright,
Like the sun, it can warm your hearts, too --
It's a gift you can give every day that you live,
And when given, it comes back to you!
When love lights the way, there is joy in the day
And all troubles are lighter to bear,
Love is gentle and kind, and through love you will find
There's an answer to your every prayer!
May it never departs from your two loving hearts,
May you treasure this gift from above --
You will find if you do, all your dreams will come true,
In the wonderful Magic of Love!
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