June 21, 2010
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Forgiveness
At times a wrong is merely a mistake
Ill will was not a factor in its cause
No irresponsibility of laws,
The wrong, itself, was not for wrongness’ sakeBut wrong is wrong and nothing can defend
That harm was done or suffering ensued
And justice sometimes means someone gets screwed
But never if that someone is a friendFor friends are friends in spite of their mistakes
We know perfection lacks a human soul
Our hearts maintain a bit of self-control
To learn, sometimes mistakes are what it takes
Comments (14)
the poem is beautiful.
you’re lucky to have children out there. i hope you see them.
@be_the_rain - My youngest son lives with me (he turns 18 today) and his older brother lives near. I see them every now and then
we’re all we’ve got in life, no? no, not you and me…but family, and stuff like that. losing a loved one, or a breakup (especially of a relationship we’re taught to believe is particularly “holy”)
…it’s tough stuff.
good to see you again.
@complicatedlight - not you and me? I s’pose t’would be rather “unholy”
but Xanga makes it a little kosherer
Dear Ben,
Not only in iambic pentameter, but an ABBA rhyme scheme, which is not that popular, and is a bit more resonant, esp. with the subject of this poem.
Excellently done.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
Wow iambic pentameter! Excellent
I can’t imagine what you went through Ben, 20 years is already a lifetime for me. I will be really really wrecked — knowing how soft and involved I am in my relationships — whether it is romantic or not, I know I will suffer from a deluge.
After reading the poem, my mind said, “Amen!” I spent too many days trying to figure out how to be forgiven and finally realized that I had to forgive myself first.
I like the middle stanza. Take things for what they are, not what you want them to be, or think they should be.
My dad just got to meet his eldest daughter for the first time since she was born last Thursday. She’s 34. The story behind is long (saying complicated would be a truth or fallacy dependant upon perspective, and experience), but it’s amazing to see how much the love between a parent can hold things together immessurably. As I think you know, my father and I butt heads a fair bit. Something he said after seeing my half sister is sticking with me though. “I never wanted to lose what I have with you three kids, that I never got to have with Maureen.” That threw things into perspective for me. Even with all the craziness that surrounds my family and my life, my relationship with my parents CANNOT be replaced, cannot be substituted for something else. And time… time is a rare comodity that we all take for granted. Treasure your relationships with your children. Their love for you will only increase. And they won’t forget. You’ll be respected for your love. But I guess you know this.
hugs and kisses
Dear Ben,
I know you began a comment and then deleted it. I’ll patiently wait for another. Thanks for the visit. You know I post a variety of different types of posts. Wait for another “ElectricPoetry” post, one will be upcoming soon. (A written one, not a “poetry reading”.
I was actually hoping to see a new entry. I’m very interested in seeing where this blog will lead.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
I may or may not update the time stamp on this again. Seems I am nowhere to be found… ( that’s no where, not now here)
if mistakes are what it takes i’m better off than i thought good piece ))) beck
“For friends are friends in spite of their mistakes.”
co-sign.
This is beautiful and the message is so simplistic but the delivery couldn’t be better.
props!