Challenge
God, The Universe, and You Part 6: The Sin Eater
The practice of "sin-eating" dates back to medieval Europe. Though obscure, it is rumored to still be in practice in rural areas of Europe as well as parts of the Appalachian region in the US. If a person dies before they are able to confess their sins, food items, such as bread and ale, were placed onto the deceased. The sin-eater was hired to consume the food, therefore consuming the sins of the deceased and giving their souls access to Heaven. Despite their spiritual importance, sin-eaters were usually impoverished people, seen as outcasts, and paid mere pennies for their service. Write your take on this concept, any format, poetry or prose, fiction or otherwise.
sin-eater
hunched
in the corner of a room,
in shack just north
of the highest mountain
on a lush hill, that hill
the one square within
the eye of god
gnashing
wiping crumbs from whiskers
alternates, gulps wines, continues
the bodies bake in the heat
the pungencies draw near
the lord's leering gaze
weeping
the woman in black
hair pinned to her crown
sweeps coins from eyes
mumbles words unknown
receding
the eater chases wealth
into the darkened valley
diminished by His watch
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