L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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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

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Rama Balasubramanian Date: 5/30/2021 10:46:00 PM Forgiveness indeed cleans soul. Congratulations Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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.