Absolution

Reading:

Absolution

When I know for sure
My number’s up
I should like to be anointed
And absolved but
Not with chrism
(Olive oil and fragrant balsam
Blessed by bishop.)
But with a glass of two of wine
Shared with those I’d injured.
Some stiffeners first
To break the ice.

In making my confession
I’d first regret the lies:
(White ones for work
Many-coloured otherwise.)
I’d be sorry too for
Cruelty of tongue to those
Who couldn’t answer back.

More important
Are the seven deadly ones.
My infractions of them
Were often trivial though many.
To all intents and purposes
My list of known and unknown
Victims would be endless.

A bigger problem still is
How to raise a quorum.
Most are dead
The rest are scattered
And in any case
How many would ever
Wish to see my face?

So perhaps the idea of an elixir
Is a good one. A magic potion
That can do for all our failings
In the one dose.
Complete salvation
In a priestly ampule!

Believing is my sticking point.
It sounds all right in Latin:
‘Sacra Unctione Infirmorum’
But so would fairies at the
Bottom of the garden.
And anyway since those I’ve
Wronged will never know my passing
There’s no chance of meeting.
What then’s the use of ointment?

One failing I shall never atone.
The victim is myself.
I spread my gifts too thin
And squandered talent.
Even popes would fail
To bless an unguent
Powerful enough
To pardon that sin.
Only one man
Can absolve me.
And he hates to drink alone.