Penance For Sin Poem by Paul Warren

I met him when I was ten
It was just once in the end
I was sitting at a Bus stop on the Port road
And he scared me as he spoke in story mode
He said I am a black man
And my life has not been grand
I wondered why he picked out me
Perhaps it was just convenience you see

With the advice he gave without asking
I have pondered since in my life's tasking
He said I have made some mistakes
And my life has taken more than I make
I drink too much for my own good
And now wander the streets as I should
You see I know in God's call
I have wasted most if not all

Now I pay the penance for my sins
And I hope to pay it before my end
Then the bus came and I stood up
He offered his hand in his sup
So I shook it and he held on
When all I wanted to do was be gone
Then he let go and I stepped on then
I sat down with our eyes meeting in the end.

© Paul Warren Poetry