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Forgiveness Cleanses the Soul

I reached down into the very bottom of my soul And found residing there sordid, bitter memories Of many hearts I had wounded over years gone by. I sorted them out carefully, reviewing each one to decide, Whether I would let them continue to fester there, Or, whether I should make amends and restore ties With distant friends I had shut out by my petty hurts, And, to my surprise, I discovered it was not they—but I Who had been suffering from my unforgiving spirit, And so, I resolved that very moment to contact each, To say “I am sorry, forgive me, for being such a boor. Forgive me, please, for allowing trivial differences To come between us,” and each, in turn, was restored; My soul is clean, for I have forgiven myself and others. FIFTH PLACE WINNER May 23, 2021 written for "Forgiveness" Poetry Contest sponsored by Unseeking Seeker

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Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 5/30/2021 10:46:00 PM

Forgiveness indeed cleans soul. Congratulations

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/31/2021 9:29:00 AM

Thank you, Rama, for your affirmative reply.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 5/30/2021 9:38:00 AM

Wonderfully metaphoric write ML! It takes courage to do spring cleaning in the soul and face the skeletons residing there. But, that being said, it feels so good to have gone through that often painful process Beautifully said - masterfully written. Blessings!

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/30/2021 9:43:00 AM

Thank you so much, Sam. Your warm, thoughtful words are so appreciated.

Alexis Y.

Date: 5/29/2021 8:39:00 PM

Hi L. Milton, I'm just coming back to say congratulations on your win. It was well deserved. Have a great evening;-) Alexis

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/29/2021 8:54:00 PM

Thanks so much, Alexis.

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 5/29/2021 8:38:00 PM

A must read message here Milton, for all of us. So superbly penned, like a master craftsman and artist rolled into one. Congrats on your win!

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/29/2021 8:55:00 PM

Thank you, Unseeking Seeker, I appreciate your thoughts.

Sandra Haight

Date: 5/25/2021 3:03:00 PM

I really like your poem, Milton! Very well-written, and it echoes my take on how forgiveness 'cleanses the soul', as expressed in my offering for the contest. Best of luck with your fine entry! Sandra

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/25/2021 7:06:00 PM

Thanks so much, Sandra.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/25/2021 1:13:00 PM

This is so true! "to my surprise, I discovered it was not they—but I Who had been suffering from my unforgiving spirit, " Wonderful write!

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/25/2021 7:05:00 PM

Thanks, Caren.

Anisha Dutta

Date: 5/23/2021 9:28:00 PM

Forgiveness is permissible to some extent not at random. Crime should not nether be tolerated nor to be forgiven. Offender must be expiated. Blessings

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/23/2021 9:51:00 PM

I appreciated your read and your thoughts, Anisha. "Trivial differences," in this case is a far cry from "crimes," and this is a very personal poem, not talking about "random" forgiveness, but making amends with old friends one has offended. The word "I" appears nine times in the verse.

Alexis Y.

Date: 5/23/2021 4:54:00 PM

WoW! L. Milton, You penned a well-written moving piece on forgiveness. I agree, the act of forgiveness is so liberating. It's good to hear you were able to forgive yourself and others. Well done. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great evening. PS, Thanks for visiting my page. It was much appreciated-Alexis

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/23/2021 5:04:00 PM

You are certainly welcome, and thanks for your read and your generous comments.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/23/2021 4:39:00 PM

Hello Milton, yes I have forgiven in my life time of my past. It took many years to do it. I have forgiven my father for how he treated me in the past. I feel good about that. Now in the past and gone!!! enjoy your evening my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/24/2021 6:21:00 AM

Hello Milton, yes it took me time and I have done it. Feel good about it. Your welcome my friend. enjoy your day my friend.

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/23/2021 5:05:00 PM

Thanks for your positive response to my poem, but most of all, your positive response to the need for forgiveness in your life--flowing both ways.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 5/23/2021 1:20:00 PM

SUPERB piece, Milton--so moving and expressive! Janice

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 5/23/2021 4:31:00 PM

Thanks so much for your warm thoughts, Janice. I really appreciated them. Have a wonderful week.