Art of Forgiveness

To my enemies,
cloaked in t w i n k l i n g topaz~
I’ve become immune 
to your illusive m a n t r a s,
recited in roseate refrains.

I’ve learned to see 
the vermilion 
     f l o a t i n g 
between venomous
pigments of 
psychedelic sunsets

For life is a whirlpool 
     of uncertainties
slithering through 
l o o p h o l e s of adversities
We waltz through 
h i g h s and l o w s
while masked foes
orchestrate a 
a circus embellished 
in emerald s p r i n g s

Yet, I f o r g i v e
your i g n o r a n t skies, 
unable to grasp
the vision of loyalty
You’ve long been 
preaching in
verses of lyrical lies,
soaring above 
catastrophic canopies~
draped with my 
sentimental s i g h s
this conscience remains 
constantly crippled 
by the ecstasy of 
poisonous promises~
served from 
diamond chalices 
once upon 
   a blood m o o n

There’s still 
a pearlescent 
shore for faithless
footprints in the
island of h e a l i n g
in the marine bed
of softness 
  that f l o w s
beneath seething seas,
there I’ll sculpt a
lagoon of
  p r a y e r s across
fire corals that 
  f l i c k e r
in tints of 
  lethal lime green
As I allow aquatic
pearl ruffles to ripple
through weary waves, 
they become the 
sacred v e s s e l
that unveils
   hyacinth stars,
when your heart is 
as dark as the 
eclipsed moonflowers

Tonight, I’ll rewrite 
the poems I’ve woven 
from golden arrows 
that assassinated
the alliterative tranquility
in sinister silence
within my inner psyche

In the journey of revival
I’ve mastered the art
of wearing pain
like a crown of 
thistles and thorns

I’ll forgive you
amidst unspoken apologies, 
and e r a s e the 
a c h i n g colors
within greying rainbows,
behind your 
  soulless eyes.
For, I can feel the 
insecurities r u s h i n g
through those veins~
longing for an empathetic 
empire that
serves you
  k i n d n e s s

  So take these metaphors, 
make them yours, 
ink them across 
  your s u n l e s s canvas, 
and r i s e beyond the
   demons that lurk
as shadows within
    your a r t l e s s heart.
   May the light of twilight,
correct your insincere intentions. 
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Schatz Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:30 PM
This is absolutely stunning Ink Express! I'm amazed by what you write. I'm glad not to be an enemy. Congratulations on your win!
Poet Avatar
January 27, 2024 at 8:02 AM
Back with hearty congratulations on your podium win, dear Ink. Blessings
One Avatar
January 6, 2024 at 2:13 PM
You are the art of poetry.. Congratulations on your first place in the contest.
Alex Avatar
January 4, 2024 at 6:27 PM
"rise beyond the demons that lurk as shadows within your artless heart" - Great advice to one and all. Congratulations!
Goldsmith Avatar
January 4, 2024 at 8:37 AM
Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading this lovely write. Forgiveness is Not for them but for Us. Forgiveness is an art we need to learn/use on others/on self. Have a blessed day writing away........................
Williams Avatar
January 2, 2024 at 8:33 PM
Forgiveness clothed in beauty. There are lots of beautiful lines here, dear Inky. As Deb says it's hard to believe that you have enemies, but I guess they can't resist raising their ugliness. Take heart in the fact that you drive your own chariot, and do not acknowledge them, as I learned to do over the years. Lots of Love and a Happy New Year to you and yours...Hugs xx
Williams Avatar
January 2, 2024 at 8:44 PM
I see this is for a contest. Dare I congratulate you in advance? I see Winner written all over your most impressive poem, dear Inky. However, I wish you the best of luck and a fave for me...Hugs
M  Avatar
January 2, 2024 at 2:42 PM
A beautiful poem about forgiveness sweet Ink……… like l said before l find it hard to imagine you have enemies….you have such a sweet kind soul! Debx
One Avatar
January 1, 2024 at 9:44 AM
There is an art to forgiveness that many an artist has failed to portray.. You poem speaks in depth about how a person or people can hurt others and not know how their actions have affected them and like to play the victim instead... It can be difficult to forgive such selfish people, but your poem shows how you have found it in yourself to find apathy for such people, but it seems they keep making the same mistakes.. How many times can you forgive someone?
One Avatar
January 1, 2024 at 9:45 AM
This is an excellent addition to this contest and one that many will find relatable with the speaker... Best of luck in the contest..
Rose  Avatar
January 1, 2024 at 4:29 AM
Returning with a Happy Birthday wish for you dear friend. May each candle bring a flame of love and a spark of poetry your way :)
Hind Avatar
December 31, 2023 at 12:53 PM
I sometimes hurt for you when I read poems such as this...you do wear grief. It's a beautiful art- your art of forgiveness. Stagnant and true.
George Avatar
December 31, 2023 at 2:25 AM
Empress, this is so lovely and shows the largesse of your heart. "I’ve mastered the art of wearing pain, like a crown of thistles and thorns. I’ll forgive you amidst unspoken apologies". You know that there are soulless eyes around and people who send piercing darts at you. Still you are willing to forgive them. But I can sense your deep pain at being misunderstood and being mercilessly treated. Your poem delves deep into the corners of your heart where you have hidden undivulged pain which you try to confront with forgiveness. Please excuse my inability to respond to your poem as I am hurled into responsibilities that I can't easily handle. My son and family and our little grandchild are at home, plus a number of visitors.
Sharma  Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 8:26 PM
Gosh, this was a lot to decipher, emotionally, as I can feel the heaviness that exudes from these heart-touching words.. Sometimes, it's too difficult to forgive our enemies as their deeds might have proven life threatening for our loved ones..But still, in the end, we need to forgive them for the sake of our own healing..I've dived in these dark oceans many times, it's so resonating. But what matters the most, is the empathy that breathes in our heart & its wish for humanity..A brilliant write
Sharma  Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 8:43 PM
You've so wonderfully conveyed the 'art of forgiveness' here with impeccable phraseology, imagery and your unique metaphors.. So profound.. I can't help but be in awe of every line.. But "For, I can feel the insecurities rushing through those veins~longing for an empathetic empire that serves you kindness" and that ending stanza.. Ahhh, sums it all up very well.. Best of luck to you for the contest, dear Ink, sending my best wishes..
Rose  Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 7:01 PM
May the light of twilight, correct your insincere intentions. This reads like a prayer for your enemies and you have mastered the art of forgiveness through it, definitely high class poetry here, gl in the contest dear heart
Poet Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 2:39 PM
This is fantastic poetry! It made me feel inspired. It's incredible, dear Ink! The poem is quite clever and provides crucial concepts. It has a profound effect on the heart and soul. Some not-so-nice people may not understand the beauty of this poetry, but that's fine. You performed an excellent job using words, comparing things, and creating compelling imagery. The forgiveness poem is incredibly wise and deep, this is a fave for me, BOL with the contest
Sands Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 2:09 PM
Wow! This is brilliant. A wise poem written that I can certainly learn from . It reaches me deeply. A Fave for me :)
McBride  Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:51 PM
Very captivating and love how you expressed the Art of seeking Forgiveness unto those who do not deserve but after God's spirit is placed within a renewing of the mind, heart and soul , instills new wisdom that this is a world without God ,
Greenhough Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:49 PM
The Art of Forgiveness, you wrote it well. It took me a long time to know the essence of it. It does not mean that it can rehappen endlessly. Thank you for this poem.
Nicholsen Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:32 PM
This is such a hearty prose have a blessed new year.
Puddifoot Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 6:51 AM
yeah there's a few of them lurking around, but the poem's a bit too pretty for such inwardly ugly people..still, good use of language and alliteration, i enjoyed the read
Empress Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 7:59 AM
Ah dear Charlotte this one is for my enemies in real life, ones who come dressed as angels, walk the same walk, sleep and eat and travel together to stab and watch us bleed, knowing exactly where it hurts the most. They are what i call enemies. Thank you so much for your kind and generous visit im always grateful. I hope 2024 will be awesome for you. And it surely does make my day when talented poets like you appreciate my poetry.
Pandit Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 6:24 AM
Powerful emotions echo throughout, Ink-- in splendid metaphors. Much enjoyed your delivery on this theme of forgiveness urging the unsecure to accept proffer of kindness. Superb ending: May the light of twilight, correct your insincere intentions.
Kendrick Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 5:27 AM
Whoa!! Reads like someone has made a terrible mistake in a relationship. I find that most of the time even if the person says they are sorry and ask forgiveness, they really can't or won't change their behavior and if they do it is only for a short period of time then they go back to being who they are which is one who isn't really sorry for their bad behavior. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara K
Mcintosh Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 2:21 AM
Amazing. Simply amazing... words of hope, words, in smoky musings, words bound to kindle the heart's forgiveness. God bless you always, love, Gina
Jones Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 1:07 AM
Whew! A powerful poetic potion! My favorite lines “ they become the sacred vessel that unveils hyacinth stars, when your heart is as dark as the eclipsed moonflowers. ” You are so talented that stating it with such plain words seems beneath your worth. Thanks for sharing your gift!
Onpaper Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:41 AM
I’ve become immune to your illusive mantras, damn rite papi!!! Yesssss!!! masked foes orchestrate a circus embellished in emerald springs. Exactly!! fake f#£ks!! I’ll sculpt a lagoon of prayers across fire corals.. love that idea!!! I’ll bring SPF also!! art of wearing pain,like a crown.. mmm yes power! May the light of twilight, correct your insincere intentions… this ending is amazing!! May the light be with you ae! XD.. love this piece papi… dnt worry aee we bring SPF ae…
Onpaper Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:46 AM
It’s a snake/ any reptile repellent la… how come it help them … those reptiles dnt need SPF… they need an exorcism ae!!! But I doubt even that will help… XD
Empress Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:43 AM
Hahaha spf wont help some.. like.. snakes
Rhymes Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:34 AM
Good one …. It takes a lot of strength to forgive someone …
Empress Avatar
December 30, 2023 at 12:43 AM
Awwn dahlin yess
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