Forgiveness

When angst and hate my rancor stirred
Fuming indignation, reddening my face,
Emotions choked as muscles tightened,
Slurring my speech, abandoning grace;

And rational discourse then disappeared
Vowing vengeance to correct a wrong,
Dissonance hollered, yet no one listened,
Donning grimace that discords prolong.

Denouncing voice of the unjust, unfair,
I brewed in anger, drowning in malaise,
Despising disgust that misdeeds convey
Engrossed in egoistic, despicable ways.

When pettiness of feud conscious decried
Longing for peace soon buried my pride,
Conjuring sensibilities of forgiveness divine,
Rejecting impulses cordiality was denied.

As laments mellowed calming ego’s demands,
Mending misunderstandings sanity won
And dialogue sought armistice of win, win
When penitence rued things said and done.

Embracing silence, we hugged in remorse
Vowing to reconcile that which roiled us;
We understood, accepted, found balance,
Questing for benevolence~ loath to fuss.

July 1, 2022
Placed 2nd: Forgiveness Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabissoon
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Loving Iii Avatar
June 24, 2023 at 2:31 PM
Sending this to Margary Taylor. she a Congresswoman.
Zahid Avatar
July 26, 2022 at 3:49 AM
A very well penned poem. Blessings Vijay
Goldsmith Avatar
July 18, 2022 at 8:56 AM
Congratulations on your win. A Lovely write. I love your ending. Have a great/blessed day............
George Avatar
July 18, 2022 at 6:13 AM
Back to you with CONGRATULATIONS on your great win, Vijay !
Foster Avatar
July 13, 2022 at 12:02 PM
found balance... that is the hardest to do. The whole poem was wonderful, and of course as always... Well written. Applause... Ann
Horsman Avatar
July 8, 2022 at 11:40 PM
Poetry to be guided by, So many and much sense here in this amazing poem..Harry
Pandit Avatar
July 9, 2022 at 3:19 PM
So very kind of you, Harry. Much appreciate your visit and comments. Many thanks.
Tor Avatar
July 8, 2022 at 9:17 PM
Your words are kind and forgiving for those that have selfishly sinned against us Vijay. Your sentiment and reaction to such a cause is the right thing to do. You have expressed it well in this winning entry my friend. God bless you...
Pandit Avatar
July 9, 2022 at 3:19 PM
Forgiving is hard but the right thing to do, as you say, Michael. Much appreciate your insightful feedback. Many thanks.
DiMino Avatar
July 6, 2022 at 10:26 AM
I know...constantly battling temper. Wise words...temper is mostly protecting a fragile ego -- whatever the reason for it, such expressions do us harm. I ask for grace, and try and do better. Excellent poem, reminder.
Pandit Avatar
July 9, 2022 at 3:17 PM
I agree--grace is so much more powerful. Much appreciate your visit and kind remarks, Joe. many thanks.
Baker Avatar
July 5, 2022 at 1:36 PM
Wonderful poem showing the difference in reacting and mindful resolve to a place where everyone wins. Wisdom and love on display my friend. Excellent message for us to contemplate. Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the contest, this poem should do well. A poet friend in Texas, Bill
Pandit Avatar
July 6, 2022 at 8:36 AM
Glad you liked the poem, Bill. Always a joy to read your insightful remarks. Many thanks.
Canerdy Avatar
July 5, 2022 at 6:17 AM
Vijay, in this masterpiece, you have captured the sweetness of forgiveness! Janice
Pandit Avatar
July 6, 2022 at 8:35 AM
Thank you Janice. So special to read your kind remarks. Much appreciate, as always.
Fowler Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 5:40 AM
I really enjoy your stages of forgiveness, inner feelings of recognizing the affront, accepting that anger does not help, letting go of the negativity within, then showing mercy, compassion, empathy, and goodness. Nice Vijay!
Pandit Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:07 AM
Much appreciate your thoughtful feedback, Linda. Many thanks for stopping by and your kind remarks.
Lawrence Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 6:45 AM
Vijay , The vibration expressing the power of forgiveness is like the stone in a pond . The circle is one , then another and then yet another . The rings multiply. The healing energy of forgiveness expands and one can embrace silence and begin anew. Love rules . Beautiful excavation of emotions and the heart and mind at work here! Hugs my friend, Susan :)
Pandit Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:06 AM
Your thoughts so much more elegant than my poem, Susan. I like your analysis--spot on, my friend. Much appreciate the kind remarks you convey. Many thanks.
Nicole Avatar
July 1, 2022 at 7:42 PM
Forgiveness seems to be a subject that many take lightly, when in fact, it is a part of our lives. Misunderstandings will occur, even a wrong that has been done on purpose. We must talk in a kind way and forgive others. This is so beautifully expressed and presented, my dear friend. ~ Brandy
Pandit Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:04 AM
Always a pleasure to read your insightful thoughts my friend. Much appreciate your visit and comments, Brandy. many thanks.
Cunningham Avatar
July 1, 2022 at 10:04 AM
There is only one way to restore peace within and that's to forgive yourself and to forgive others, negative emotions are quite destructive. Good luck in the contest Vijay. Tom
Pandit Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:02 AM
You are so right, Tom. So hard to do though. Much appreciate your visit and comments. Many thanks. Enjoy your travels through Turkey.
George Avatar
July 1, 2022 at 8:58 AM
Agree with what our friend Demetrios has said, this poem is a psychological probing into man's psyche when he boils with moral indignation and when hate and resentment subdues his rationality. But when sanity is restored, he longs for peace and hatred turns to forgiveness and friendship. Beautiful poem, dear Vijay !
Pandit Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:01 AM
Your analysis is spot on, as always, my friend. Much appreciate your kind remarks, Valsa. Many thanks.
Trifiatis Avatar
July 1, 2022 at 4:47 AM
Profound poem probing into a person's psyche so analytacally explained! Excellent writing, my dearest friend, Vijay! Blessings!
Pandit Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:00 AM
So very glad to hear that from you my friend. Much appreciate your visit and comments, Demetrios. Many thanks.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace