Stained and Shattered
Please, don't pray for me.
Trigger Warning: This poem criticizes religion. It references childhood sexual abuse and incest, questioning enablement by family culture.
He spewed his sins to the unknown priest,
confessing devout faith as needed;
quickly laying guilt at the Devil’s feet
soon after the girl confronted evil.
***
She lay quietly upon the alter,
shattered shards of stained glass. Scattered
in the wind of whispers claiming another
virgin soul by collateral culture.
***
This rigid house is not a cozy home
sheltering only selfishly stolen love
by pervasive demons which may roam
freely, safe in manipulation.
***
Familial minds took communion bites;
praying for traditions to continue
in silenced truths of darkness, never light.
They grasped their worn rosaries, reciting.
***
No higher power protects this haloed child,
though she bows her head every night
Unclaimed innocence selfishly defiled.
The sin would never be his. He confessed.
***
The choir sings, “Hallelujah.”
About the Creator
KJ Aartila
A writer of words in northern WI with a small family and a large menagerie.
My Substack
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (3)
Very well done on such a raw topic.
Dark and powerful, thank you for sharing
This is incredibly powerful. Well done.
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