Shrines Of Remorse Poem by Betty Stoneman

Time builds shrines out of remorse
In the eyes of the old and dying
In the hearts of the soulless
Years of words compacted into heavy stones
Bound together with regret
To form thick walls of self deception
A lifetime of secrets are displayed like idols
Watching over, staring accusingly
Framed by relentless guilt
Every surface coated with the dust of shame
Accumulated thickly in the crevices of memories
Each moment of the past worshipped
Through the cruel repentance of hindsight
Falling on cut and bruised knees
Painful injuries of repetition
Before the altar of life
begging for the mercy of forgiveness