Priests did not inhabit a world of crime
They lived in a world of sin
And sins are to be confessed
And then absolved
And the sinful priest can carry on
It’s fine
And sins are secret
Never see the light
In dark confessional
We confess and put it right
And counsel firm amendment
Three Hail Marys say
Go in peace my son
Be on your way
And if complaints come in
And light is shone
We quickly damp the fires
All scandal gone
The priest moved on
And counselling is sort
Our holy reputation still afloat
The victims of the crime
Were never known
They were too young
Best just left alone
And all unseen their misery ensued
They sought relief from sorrow
Sad and crude
The holy world knew sin
Did not know crime
We closed our eyes
It will go away in time
But when the dark
Is brought at last to light
Our duty then
Is make sure we put it right
Brian Fahy
16 January 2023
Erris Poetry 