the days since we last spoke turned to weeks turned to months turned to years you were heavy with child with your arms around a stranger in fear i had the burn in my blood i had the ash in my veins had the lies i keep hid between teeth the boy must never know about me never know of my face between us hold these secrets we keep my penance in your name hail mary have mercy i dread the loss of heaven living in hell forgive me my father for i am a sinner rain taps on the window burning red neon sign pushes its way through the blinds sleep never comes easy sinking guts lacking faith and on the nod every night dim glow of the street lights forgotten tenement for the damned no cut of the cloth here just another broken man waiting praying for death my penance in your name my penance in your name hail mary have mercy i dread the loss of heaven living in hell forgive me my father for i am a sinner 