Magpie #94 - "Nibbled Transgressions"

"Lunch", George Tooker, 1964, Columbus Museum of Art  

Nibbled Transgressions

Like sandwiches, transgressions are nibbled,

transformed into "tea" sandwiches,

Father's divine law ignored: removal of crust a mortal sin!

Some turn their backs as they reshape their guilt,

pretend they entered the sanctuary

with neatly trimmed, bite sized short comings.

A few succeed in devouring whole their crimes,

cleansing wickedness with a dab of holy water

before they walk out the carved alder entryway,

for now, ignoring the Saint's beckoning call "Come back!"

and the beaconing light above the confessional door.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, December 7, 2011

* * * * *

This is linked to and written for Magpie Tales #94.

St. Phillip Benizi's entryway door

"functional art," noting that the saints lived dramatic lives. "By touching the art, we engage in the reality of the saint’s life," he says. "We walk through the door representing St. Philip’s time on earth. This speaks to the unconscious."


"The construction, design and noble beauty will help remind people of Christ’s presence, lift their minds to God, and help them transition from everyday life to the Sacred Mysteries,"