That very moment when she disavowed
God's plan for her life
Is when she first heard
The whispered voice.
"There's a dance tonight at St. Michaels.
"Tonight you will make a man want you.
"Tonight you will be irresistible!"
Suddenly, graphic, undulating images
Appeared in her mind.
She flushed with embarrassment,
Recoiling in shock.
"God forbid!" she gasped,
Frightened by her own thoughts.
Dear sweet Josefina,
So innocent and pure of heart,
Wanted only to fulfill her deathbed
Promise to poor Mama
Of marriage and family
And the joy of God's blessing.
Mama said it was part of God's plan for her,
That God would send her the man.
For two years, Josefina prayed daily
For God's man to appear.
But he never came.
And the whispered voice and fantasy returned,
Dancing in her mind...
Tempting her...
Enticing her...
Exciting her desire,
Even in the face of God's certain wrath.
Still unbearably alone,
Her desperate need moved her
Closer to fulfillment.
"Find a place for yourself," Papa had said.
"Make a life for yourself."
"That's it," she thought.
"I'll make a man notice me.
"I'll make it happen."
And deep in her heart
She believed it true ,
While Satan whispered his support.
She had blamed God
For taking Mama away
Before her time.
That was the moment
She had turned away from God.
And no sooner had she opened her heart
To Satan's evil ways
Than a man appeared before her.
Not God's man, Satan's man.
A shaming man.
The assault came without warning,
A hard-knuckled fist smashing
Against her soft right cheek.
Reeling sideways, she staggered,
Mouth open,
Blood flowing from a torn lip.
Eyes closed, aware he hovered over her,
Josefina waited.
She dared not move.
Silent as death, she prayed.
"Holy Mother, pray for me.
"O, Holy Mother, save me!
"O, God! O, God!
"O, someone, please! Please!"
Impaled, unable to move,
Josefina lay helpless
As his raging passion
Traumatized her psyche,
Shredding her soul of innocence.
She screamed in horror
As Christ's blood erupted
From her ripped flesh,
Sobbing hysterically when her
Rosewood crucifix was discarded
In her sacred space.
Now, Josefina lay beaten, ravished,
And in terrible suffering
With the unrelenting pain
Of hopelessness and despair.
Deep with sorrow,
She moaned her tribulations.
"O, Holy Mother, my shame
Is more than I can bear."
Excited and seduced
By wicked, whispered thoughts,
Marked by the wrath of God
With shredded innocence,
Her flesh carved with shameful cross,
How could she hope to challenge
The evil of Satan when next he
Whispered the paradise of revenge.
In the shadow, Satan smiled.
A pastiche from the psychological drama novel The Paradise of Revenge
Richard Lee Orey
Copyright 2006
TO OPEN A PERSONAL AUTHOR'S MESSAGE FROM RICHARD LEE OREY, Click Here: www.richardleeorey.com
As a survivor of domestic and sexual abuse, I can say that you have described the pain, terror, hopelessness and mental anguish one suffers from having lived thru such trauma. God bless you for writing this!
Dee
Reviewed by Deborah Munson (Reader)
Reviewed on March 30, 2008
My own private hell created by none other than myself. So vividly your words portray how I waited and waited and conveniently did not want to wait any longer but make it happen pretending and believing it was real only to be shredded to pieces and bloodily beat in heart and soul. Hard lesson to learn. Deborah
Warning labels draw the daring to investigate why the warning! I ventured to read what all the "faint of heart" was all about and nearly fainted as your words snatched the secret feelings from deep within. Pain, regret and anguish, even if secretly tucked away in every person's thoughts, is very well expressed by this poem. Powerful use of words!!!
This reminds me of so many offerings from SC -Pat-
and she grew on! Stronger than Ever! and sent to us with Love!
Your powerful heartfelt write, came from my heart!
I felt it rise with each word!
I thank you getting this out!
When I was physically abused, I cried out as I knew if I held on, the Lord would make me strong~~!
You said it all right here, as I felt it through my tears!
A gem I will treasure forever!
The Sins casted out - As God cries out - Heals us all just the same in his resolution we came~~!
WArmest Blessings and Love, WArrior Spirit Lady Sheeeoox
Be SAFE!
STay POsitive!
-Namaste-
As a man,
It is so strange,
Yet True,
That I myself feel like Joseafina.
In so many ways!
Except for the part about revenge.
I have learned,
Thru the Holy Spirit,
That Forgiveness is the only Way!
The poor girl. I've been a newspaper reporter, and seen some of this too although probably not as much of it as you, Richard. God knew us in our mother's womb, and before the foundations of the universe, he tells us, and what a shame we can't wait on him to make us what he would have us be. Powerful writing, powerful story...Jerry
Intense, spell-binding! Awesome write. It pays to make sure that we don't get Satan's copy of God's choice for us.
This is a WOW factor,
Pier
Reviewed by Jeanne SparksCarreker (Reader)
Reviewed on March 4, 2007
Very interesting! I didn't know a judge ever took off their robe, much less row a canoe (grin)! I am looking forward to reading more of your work. A judge in Birmingham, Alabama helped me change my life about 5 years ago. It's always a fortunate community that receives wisdom from great men. There are many in society who are appreciative, so keep it flowing! I wish you all the best.
Your pastiche demonstrates many emotions, just as Josefina does in "The Paradise of Revenge". She is certainly an interesting character who makes me cringe in fear of what she might do (still reading the book).
I love your book, Richard, and I've been reading on it every chance I get. You've certainly captured the wickedness of mankind, his sick depravity, and the horrors just waiting to claim innocent and unsuspecting persons. The fact that what you've written really does happen (in similarity) is a frightening thought. I'm so glad I bought your book.
A horribly fantastic write! I find your pen very real in the sense that it probably haunts your minds eye from time to time, seething evil like it did to Josefina...how do you balance this out? I guess you canoe...? That does it for me, going off hiking...walking, soaking in the peace of it all!
Enjoyed this, in a different sort of way...
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Thank you for visiting my den, and leaving your kind review.
What an honor to make your acquaintance...and praise God for sending a MAN who knows and tells! Your magnanimous work is blood-curdling because it screams the Truth. Through your Spiritual discernment, you will make people think...and prayerfully set many free...
Dear Richard, Oh my...this bone-tingling write held my attention from start to finish. How horribly wrong poor Josefina was, to think she could make things happen. A dreadful mistake, indeed. Yet so many make the same mistake these days. I can just imagine how gripping your novel would be, Richard. As a court reporter/lawyer, you would have experienced first-hand the horror of these crimes. May I ask how you manage to sleep at nights?
I became speachless as I read this beautiful piece of work...it soaked to the core of my soul!
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader)
Reviewed on February 2, 2007
Well Richard, you're the first Judge/lawyer that I've ever known to write the word 'Eureka!' At least that's what I believe you wrote.Correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, I've known many lawyers, and many a Judge, but never one that had written a book. I'm deffinately interested.Fantastic writing! God Bless, Holly
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Dee
loved it!!!
Erin.
and she grew on! Stronger than Ever! and sent to us with Love!
Your powerful heartfelt write, came from my heart!
I felt it rise with each word!
I thank you getting this out!
When I was physically abused, I cried out as I knew if I held on, the Lord would make me strong~~!
You said it all right here, as I felt it through my tears!
A gem I will treasure forever!
The Sins casted out - As God cries out - Heals us all just the same in his resolution we came~~!
WArmest Blessings and Love, WArrior Spirit Lady Sheeeoox
Be SAFE!
STay POsitive!
-Namaste-
It is so strange,
Yet True,
That I myself feel like Joseafina.
In so many ways!
Except for the part about revenge.
I have learned,
Thru the Holy Spirit,
That Forgiveness is the only Way!
God Bless -Spirit Warrior
However outstanding poetic narrative for such a hard to swallow topic! All the best to you~Gwendolyn
From the Heart of an Aritst...
worksofgath
This is a WOW factor,
Pier
I love your book, Richard, and I've been reading on it every chance I get. You've certainly captured the wickedness of mankind, his sick depravity, and the horrors just waiting to claim innocent and unsuspecting persons. The fact that what you've written really does happen (in similarity) is a frightening thought. I'm so glad I bought your book.
Regis
This is an impressive story-poem ~ in imagery and voice ~ striking imagination and fulfiling curiosity.
"And Lead Us Not..." bears the aroma of creativity.
In admiration and gratitude,
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Enjoyed this, in a different sort of way...
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Thank you for visiting my den, and leaving your kind review.
What an honor to make your acquaintance...and praise God for sending a MAN who knows and tells! Your magnanimous work is blood-curdling because it screams the Truth. Through your Spiritual discernment, you will make people think...and prayerfully set many free...
Welcome aboard, Sir!
Many Blessings, Rhonda
God Bless
Love and deep respect
Lena
A frightening tale you pen in engaging, compelling verse; well done! You are a born storyteller.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Light & peace,
Joselyn