Late at the Library, guilt expressed in sonnet form Options

[jgdittier]

After 40 years of returning every book on time, last year I was 3 days late!

O demon guilt, my conscious now proclaims
Your weigh to be my burden, heavy held.
My fate has fallen into Satan's flames,
To restitution now I feel compelled.
This crime of mine occurred without design,
A happenstance I vowed I'd not repeat.
As ignomy, disgrace and shame combine
With fine to make my punishment complete.
O'er forty years of faithful fealty,
With naught a blemish brought by boastful thought...
Reduce it not! The fine in full on me!
Perhaps a victim, I, as I've been caught!
 And still I must, by fine, them recompense.
 "O.K., I'll pay. Three days, that's fifteen cents"!