Heuristic

A microphone and a roomful of people
terrifying to some
addictive to most,
intoxicating
such satisfaction,
one’s wit and wisdom drenching ears
which cannot interrupt, or escape.

Fathers of brides.
Best men.
School principals.
Chairman of boards
professionals and amateurs maximise time in sun
stretching time, and patience
– why should the clergy be different?

At the time when most priests
dispensed before commencement précis
post scripture explanation
pre-departure encouragement,
he moved through ceremony without intermission,
or trailer.
Except,
if the liturgy had been poignant
abandoned trust and redemption
hypocrisy curtained with piety
then, a soul pause : mute
not quite brief, not quite lingering.

He looked different in the dock
diminished without vestments and title
addressed by the judge as “Mr…”
referred to in the media as “ disgraced Catholic priest …”
Theft
tens of thousands – church funds
gold spun to straw
in slot machines and casinos. Unrecoverable.