A Priesting at Westminster

'Neath wartime blackened, smoke hued dome
the penitent summoned tread, holy
heavy, fresh shiny from sequestered solitude
post hard ponder upon life long
transgressions, recalcitrance, ineptitudes
to parade thrice reawakened
reckoned, thrice redeemed
till mortal sin cruel revisits
when, indulgence hungered, fall prostrate
to beg once more for pardon

Yet retribution withholds this day
as in purified radiance, pates gleaming
eyes tear washed, streaming
hope filled hearts quiver, quake involuntary
to thunderous organ voluntary
the God-called timid boldly stride
under gawping gaze of worldling throng
their flock-to-be who today may hail
but ne'er too long may cry "crucify !"
if steps do stray from uncommon grace
to everyman's common, fallen lumber

But for this sweet instant
when silver bells tinkle innocent
in transubstantial mystery
as incense covers, hovers smiling
assailing guilt rimmed edges
to blur vision of tomorrow's certain trespass
till the enMassed wine-filled corpus
is drunken under inextinguishable grace
thus soul-buffered, the anointed swoon
in a temporary tender moment
of wondrous ineffable love