Thou Shalt Not

by John Herlihy

Thou shalt not bear false witness.

That shalt not take thy name in vain.

Thou shalt be loyal in health and sickness.

When in doubt thou shalt take the blame.

Indeed, most of us lie but do not want to lie.

And yes, most of us take God’s name in vain.

Loyalty as well amounts to a problem of trust,

But guilt lies in the core, blame lies as the husk.

We are reluctant to acknowledge the blame,

Even if guilt lives within our innermost core.

Taking the blame amounts to implicit shame,

Public acknowledgement of guilt most abhor.

Blame lies in the froth of a cresting wave,

Guilt asks for forgiveness in a church nave.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 8 March 2026