The Gift of Forgiveness

The Gift of Forgiveness

I don’t remember going to sleep that night 
But I remember waking up 
To the awful racket going on inside my head. 
Bad thoughts and feelings raged 
As I twisted and turned, 
And roared and cried. 
Just when I thought that it would never end 
And that I would never be able to forgive and forget, 
Time stood still 
And the world seemed to fade away. 
While before everything seemed so hopeless, 
Now there was only love and light 
And a sudden knowingness that something was missing. 
‘My sister*’, I remembered, ‘I haven’t been very nice to her either’.
With this the light started to grow brighter and brighter, 
And, recognising** her light come towards me, 
The love grew stronger and stronger 
Until it filled me completely.
I fell asleep knowing 
That through the grace and mercy of God 
I had finally found 
Forgiveness.

by Jean McLoughlin 07/01/2016

* My Older Sister
** British Spelling - Cambridge Oxford Dictionary

P.S. My older sister has not passed away but we will always have a strong soul connection.

Winning 2nd Placement in Eve Ropers 'When Older Siblings or Younger Step in...' 01/15/2016

Note from the Author
This is a true story.
It happened the night before Christmas Eve a couple of years ago.
I went on to make up with my sister on Christmas Eve.
We hugged and said sorry, and had a lovely Christmas.
My poem 'My Beautiful Encounter' follows on from this.
Thanks for reading.
From Jean
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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

Christian Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 10:41 AM
a beautiful poem, yes we need to forgive to be forgiven, and it is hard sometimes but will Gods' help we can. Amen
Mcloughlin Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 1:43 PM
Oh thank you Diane, you are so right! God Bless. From Jean
A   Avatar
January 26, 2016 at 10:05 PM
jEAN, Congratulations on your awesome sibling win. XOX - LINDA -
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 27, 2016 at 4:38 AM
Thank you so much Linda. Love from Jean
A  Avatar
January 18, 2016 at 8:44 AM
Jean, Congratulations on your lovely win. Love the subject..... SKAT **
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 22, 2016 at 10:50 AM
Thank you so much SKAT, sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you. Hope all well. Love from Jean
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 16, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Beautifully written Jean, with superb phrasing and imagery. BRAVO my dear! Best wishes, Keith (PS leave it to the Irish to produce fine poetry!)
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 16, 2016 at 4:30 PM
...my pleasure!
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 16, 2016 at 4:12 PM
Oh thank you Keith, I feel flattered and undeserving of such praise coming from such a fine a writer and wonderful person as yourself!! Truly appreciated. Best wishes, Jean.
Roper Avatar
January 15, 2016 at 5:21 PM
Jean, congratulations on your placement on my “When Older Siblings or Younger Step In”... contest. A wonderful tribute to your sister. Hugs Eve
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 17, 2016 at 4:35 AM
Thank you Eve, my sister turned out to be my greatest teacher even though we had and still have difficulties getting along sometimes. Thank you for the good news and for the wonderful contest. Love from Jean
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