i have penance to do

i have penance to do

if you forgive me not

nor call my name

my penance is mine

alone

just the same

i suffer you not

retribution

in my elocution

or written word

nary a tone of acidity

shall drip from my tongue

for it is not your judgment

upon which i must pass

but that of my own

and such

i have always known

that i am the Captain of this ship

the sails are of my own making

and i take leave

across the Seas of my hopes

for

i have penance to do

(c) 29 January 2011 : William S. Peters, Sr.