more sins to confess

not you again
the priest says behind the dark
screen
inside the confessional.

more bad thoughts?
he asks.

yes. I tell him. the same

as yesterday
and the day before.
that's it he says.
nothing beyond bad thoughts?

at times I don't trust God,
I think on occasion when things
are going crazy that he doesn't know
what he's doing with my life.

not uncommon, he says and shrugs
tugs at his stiff white collar.
but worry is a sin, so stop that.
what else?

I ate a quart of ice cream
the other day, I tell him.
without sharing.
chocolate syrup and whipped
cream on top.

you're a lost man, he says.
five hail Mary's and three our
father's.

go easy on the fudge sauce
and go and sin no more.