If

If my sinful scars were hidden
and I could away my selfishness 
if I could look on others as my brother 
wrest away entitlements...

If true love meant sacrifice 
freely given without regrets 
if I could marvel at creation
revel in sweet jasmine’s scents...

If I could flee life’s great temptations 
follow in the narrow path
if stumbling blocks of fear and anger
were swept away into the past...

Then I could look into the mirror 
see what I was truly meant to be
an image bearer borne from heaven 
a reflection of His majesty...

For in so loving others as myself 
a higher calling I will heed
and finding freedom in the giving
only then my spirit will be free. 








Written on 10/24/2018

freedomheartrhyme

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/7/2022 7:08:00 AM

This is beautiful Laura. We all need to look into that mirror and see our real reflection as others see us. Congratulations. New year blessings xxoo

Laura Leiser
Date: 1/7/2022 7:52:00 AM

Thank you for your thoughtful and kind comments, Connie! And a big congratulations to you for having your poems chosen to be front and center (high up) in the latest Poetry Anthology book! :)

Beata Agustin

Date: 12/28/2021 10:25:00 PM

Congrats. Thanks for sharing this "be-attitude of the heart." God bless you. A blessed New Year to your and your family.

Laura Leiser
Date: 12/29/2021 8:01:00 AM

Thank you, Beata! I’m thrilled you liked this! God bless you! :)

Xuefeng Pan

Date: 5/7/2019 9:45:00 AM

very thoughtful, it means a lot

Laura Leiser
Date: 12/29/2021 8:01:00 AM

Thank you!

Kaveesha Ruwindi

Date: 11/26/2018 6:08:00 AM

Lovely poem, Laura. Enjoyed this very much. Congrats on your win!

Laura Leiser
Date: 12/29/2021 8:01:00 AM

Thank you!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 11/26/2018 12:32:00 AM

- Congratulations on yours: "In response to IF ...." poems, Laura :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/27/2018 8:37:00 AM

Thank you, Ann Lise! :)

Eve Roper

Date: 11/25/2018 6:28:00 PM

Nicely done, Laura, congratulations on your placement in the contest I enjoyed reading..

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/27/2018 8:36:00 AM

Thank you, Eve!

Silent One

Date: 11/25/2018 10:29:00 AM

May your spirit run free forever Laura... Enjoyed your take on the contest.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/25/2018 5:22:00 PM

Thank you, Silent! I am so glad you placed my poem in your contest, as your opinion means a lot to me! :)

Robertina B.

Date: 11/12/2018 7:59:00 PM

Such a glorious rhyme, Laura.. Really touches the soul.. Many blessings!!

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/12/2018 8:32:00 PM

Thank you, Robertina! :)

Lynn D.

Date: 11/12/2018 6:54:00 AM

Beautifully written! Liked the message!

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/12/2018 9:02:00 AM

Thank you, Lynn! :)

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 11/11/2018 2:04:00 PM

A lovely, soulful verse, Laura. Spirituality and faith speaks.

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/11/2018 2:59:00 PM

Thank you, Sandra! :)

Robert Lindley

Date: 11/8/2018 4:40:00 PM

My dear friend, I so dearly love this poem! Such is the essence of grace, purity and faith.. You nailed it with this excellent poetry! A fav...

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/11/2018 2:58:00 PM

Thank you, Robert! :)

Chris Hagy

Date: 11/8/2018 8:51:00 AM

This is so lovely Laura!... from the rhyme to the message...only a free spirit could have such gifted words :)... have lovely day :)

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/8/2018 9:48:00 AM

Thank you, Chris! I appreciate your kind words! Have a good day, as well! :)

Andreas Akun

Date: 11/8/2018 2:39:00 AM

Awesome...Only through giving we will feel spiritually free...

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/8/2018 8:15:00 AM

Thank you, Andreas!

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 11/6/2018 5:20:00 PM

Super write Laura, really enjoyed your rhyme and flow, so glad PS alerted me to your work, Blessings,Gordon

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/6/2018 5:56:00 PM

Thank you, Gordon! I’m happy you enjoy my poems! :)

Jack Ellison

Date: 11/6/2018 3:21:00 PM

I was alerted to your page by Soup Mail and I'm sure glad I did! This was absolutely beautiful, dear Laura! You look very familiar to me aside from your beauty! That sounded like a line if I ever heard one eh!!! LOL Hope to talk more... love Happy Jack XOX

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/6/2018 3:49:00 PM

Thank you for the compliment, Jack! I’m glad you liked the poem, as well :)

Dave Moore

Date: 11/6/2018 2:47:00 PM

I'm short of time, but my favorite rhyme is your "Aunt Clementine."

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/6/2018 2:59:00 PM

Thank you, Dave!

Ralph Sergi

Date: 11/4/2018 8:23:00 AM

Great poem, Laura: The bible says, "Love your neighbor as yourself.

Laura Leiser
Date: 11/4/2018 9:35:00 AM

Yes, one of the greatest commandments of Jesus! Thanks for your comments, Ralph :)

Winged Warrior

Date: 10/29/2018 7:50:00 AM

If at first, you don't succeed...in your case you have succeeded lol...no need to try again...lovely verse Laura...love & light...^WW^

Laura Leiser
Date: 10/29/2018 12:52:00 PM

Thanks, WW! Glad you liked this :)

Harry Horsman

Date: 10/27/2018 4:40:00 PM

There is one IF you don't need..the ability to write poetry,,this is truly a wonderful poem..

Laura Leiser
Date: 10/27/2018 6:41:00 PM

Thank you for the high compliment, Harry! I feel honored :)

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 10/27/2018 4:57:00 AM

When we learn to love others as ourselves a beautiful thing happens, We feel like we are part of their family, and we feel the love return to us . Thank you for sharing this feel good poem, have a great day dear Laura.

Laura Leiser
Date: 10/27/2018 8:16:00 AM

Thank you, Pixie :)

Poet Tacito

Date: 10/25/2018 11:35:00 AM

I wish I could send this to the one who really, really, desperately needs to read this & learn from it. This hit home for me. Cheers & thank you for this vulnerable & vital piece, Laura.

Laura Leiser
Date: 10/25/2018 6:30:00 PM

Thank you, Drake..your interest and kind comments mean a lot! :)