sometimes novice are just done
they step away from studies
monk robes become dusty...discarded
tonsured hair grows out
duties fall away...neglected
cigarettes held in bully fists
slow slide from fireside whiskey
to garage bursting with empties
the Bible left unopened
forgotten and lost
pursuits of virtue swing to vice
old life temptations linger
the tired monk was a novice once
he remembers
Interesting. I just finished reading Stevenson's, "The Body Snatcher" (after "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde") it's all coming together here, strangely.
ReplyDeleteThere's a big difference between the self-determined objective (finite) and the perfect one of the calling -- so many sigh "aw hell, I've done enough" and ditch the robes and dive back into the moronic inferno -- maybe those who stay with the call of the mild are the weakest, or have a history that is never quite their own. Anyway, amen. - Brendan
ReplyDeleteMonks aren't the only ones who remember. Some of us amateur nuns have a few squirmy memories of our own! Thanks for being part of FBF, Ollie.
ReplyDeleteLoved your poem as well as Fireblossom's comment! So true.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the fall from grace into the temptations of worldliness very well. I'm sure we can all identify in some measure, seems to go with the territory of growing up.
ReplyDeleteEveryone's a mix of saint and sinner...
ReplyDelete"...bully fists...' that really describes the force of that addiction, and the whole poem is full of that wisdom we only learn, if we learn it, through experience. All novices once, and in some things, always will be, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteI always love your perspective - and your poems, Ollie.
ReplyDeleteI remember, too!
ReplyDeleteI love this, Old Ollie... you really capture temptation here.
ReplyDeletehttp://lkharris-kolp.blogspot.com/2012/02/cant-you-feel-it.html
Well said, well written and an enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one. Thanks.
ReplyDeletetemptations are life's little "tests" I suppose. Perhaps we will be "graded" on a curve. :)
ReplyDeleteI too remember it very well....nice one ~
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend ~
If we could resist temptation by the unaided will alone, we wouldn't have to pray about it, would we? I can so relate to that "slow slide" you mention.
ReplyDeleteK
Oh temptation...I remember it well...nice work!
ReplyDeletewe're all only separated from being novices by a shadow. where do we choose to step?
ReplyDeletexo
erin