The Gates of Hell

Gate or Gates 7-1-25 Based on Rodin’s Gates of Hell. It struck me that Rodin’s gates are closed which made me think of a pastor who said he would want to set up a mission at the gates of hell, that maybe, there might be one last chance of forgiveness. Agree or disagree, theologically correct or not, this poem is just my musings based on this perception by Rodin – the acceptance or rejection of grace - forgiveness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gates of Hell Mercy stands outside The GHOSTLY gates of hell Spreading amazing wings Benevolence In GOSSAMER compassion GRIEF-STRICKEN At the sight of unquenchable fires For souls born from the pure fire of love GROANING with tender clemency Offering the finality of forgiveness, Amnesty born from an empty GRAVE In a garden, An empty cross on a bloodstained hill, Armors built in plates of arrogance Scream, Dissolve, In the acid of this reality Grace, never GODSAKEN, Offers a chalice of ruth For the ruthless, A breath of pardon At the execution of a soul – Pilgrim thinker Sits outside the gates of hell – Building a mission on closed gates.