Best Forgiveness Poems
last thing I remember is the look upon his face
shot him dead right where he stood then left without a trace
killed a man while robbing his white castle for some change
if I could I'd take it back my life I'd rearrange
(chorus)
as I lie here on this prison bed I look up toward the sky
His Word says He still loves me though I can't help wonder why
the man I am today is one He pulled up from the mud
I've put my trust in these three things
the spirit, the water, and the blood
growing up I never knew the man who caused my birth
the only dad I ever knew destroyed my own self-worth
the day he beat my mother was the day I thought I'd die
I swore it'd be the last time this young man would ever cry
as I lie here on this prison bed I look up toward the sky
His Word says He still loves me though I can't help wonder why
the man I am today is one He pulled up from the mud
I've put my hope in these three things
the spirit, the water, and the blood
(bridge)
looking in this broken mirror I see a man redeemed
my newborn faith in God above uplifts my self-esteem
the One who sent his Son to die forever set me free
these bars that keep me locked up now will soon no longer be
(I'll pay the penalty)
the time has come the needle waits I find myself at peace
today's the day to pay my dues before I find release
forgiveness I have begged from Him for causing so much pain
my hope is He remembers me and that I'll live again
as I lie upon this bed of death I slowly close my eyes
his family's all gathered 'round no need to wonder why
the man I killed's dear widow helped to pull me from the mud
(because like me)
she's put her faith in these three things
the spirit, the water, and the blood
On the day our eyes open to the prism of the sun
On that day, Winter solitude would be gone
The avalanche of differences melts into nothingness
Through the same breath,through the same soul
We would live again as one ,no matter who we are
No matter the colour of our skin,Gay or straight
rich or poor,innocent or once found guilty.
No matter if We are lawyers,prisoners,doctors,drug victims or pheasants
No matter our political believes ,nor our different religions
A catholic,a muslim,a buddhist , a hinduist,or a jew .
On that day,we would all wear identical dresses
We would all be the significant other ,because He has died,
and He has died for all. Jesus died for Peter,John and Judah
for Lazarus and Maria Magdalene, Jesus died for me ,
He has died for you ,for him ,for her,and even for them.
He gave up till the last drop of blood and painful cry
for each and every name engraved upon our Father's palm.
He was born to die,but its not his death that we celebrate ,
We celebrate His life ,because we believe in life
We celebrate His forgivness ,because We experienced
the beauty of forgivness ,the happiness ,the return of blissful joy.
and , We celebrate the ever present love
Because it is the gift of love that He bestowed on us
Jesus was born to die , but He was born to rise
Upon death He has risen , through His death We survived
Because of Him , in the darkness ,in the labyrinth of our night
There will always,always be the little flicker of a candle
that fills our hearts with hope ,and warming light.
Wild spirit -
I cherished you tender
within my halo of prana;
careful not to hurt you
as I worked to set you free
using hands of peace
in harmony
with my heart's song
I beheld your fragile form
of freedom lost
as your panicked eyes
pleaded release..
and in those precious
and few sacred moments
I felt you relinquish
your fight or flight
to my mission of mildness...
a unifying lesson of love
befell us that day
as we exchanged gifts -
and when again you flew
through reflective silvery winds
on turquoise wings anew
we elevated in mindful mercy
to compassionate heights
in revered reverberations...
gratified to be reborn
in your new found freedom
Susan Ashley
October 7, 2018
I asked you what I have done wrong
But there is no response - just a stony silence
No words can convey my guilt, my inner sadness
This will be my last goodbye
My final letter to you my love
Tears flow down my ashen face
Tears of sadness, tears of regret
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
Tears fall on the paper as I write
They mingle with the damp blue ink
The inky water leaches into the paper
Its colour starts to bleed and spread
Until it fades into nothingness
I am empty, devoid of emotion
I can say no more
Forgive me for being me
Forgive me for caring
Forgive me for loving you
Goodbye forever
02~15~15
As dawn would bring no daylight without dark
empty night; the clearest day no beauty hold
without the dreary rainstorm's dismal mark.
As spring would bring no rebirth without cold
winter sleep; the fallen snow no cleansing
without the ashen stain of fall. As love
would bring no healing without the stinging
wounds of hate; and laughter give no joy of
gladness without the woeful tears of pain.
As peace would have no glory in its quest
without the fear of war. Life's thrill would wane,
no meaning hold, without the awe of death.
As heaven is no prize without hell's fires therein;
forgiveness is no virtue without the sinner's sin.
In shadow 'neath the shining of a soul
a heart trembles
for her lost
control.
Hope
lives
in Him
who forgives
trespass and sin
as flight with Mercy’s angel does begin.
Susan Ashley
October 7, 2020
~ First Place ~
Contest: Double Tetractys 4
Sponsor: Eve Roper
syllables checked: howmanysyllables.com
10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
Poet’s note: The hourglass, sometimes with the addition of metaphorical wings, is often depicted as a symbol that human existence is fleeting
I was once a little twig with dreams of being a mighty tree
So people would come from all around just to look at me
As the years started to come and go I fell in love with the wind
I would open myself big and wide swaying to the music of my friend
My rings became many and my bark was as red as red could be
Then the day finally came I was the tallest of the tallest trees
I stood tall and I stood proud and everyone knew my name
As my rings continued recording my destiny to fame
Then the fateful day it came my friend and I had a fight
Looking back I can't recall who was wrong or right
I said, "You are but the wind something people can't even see"
" And I'm the king of them all the tallest of the tallest trees"
That night the wind started to howl she really started to blow
And I the tallest of all the trees learned we reap what we sow
My roots struggled to hold on tight but without a soul around
She who had been my dearest friend knocked me to the ground
The loggers came and cut me up then shipped me away
To my soul that truly was a sad and lonely day
Torn from all I knew and loved wishing I didn't have to feel
I was cut into boards and post down at the local mill
Now I'm back here at home just a few feet away
From where my friend the wind and I used to dance and play
I'm the deck on which you stand I lay below your feet
There is a bench made of me would you care to have a seat
Sometimes in life our roles change just take a look at me
The trick is no matter who are what you are be all you can be
See I was once a little twig who became a mighty tree
And now I'm a redwood deck as proud as proud can be
And of my friend the wind she visits me everyday
So I can thank her once again for helping me find my way
You look at me so uninviting;
I may have some missing teeth, stumble when I walk, bout' to FALL!!!
Stutter when I talk, but yet I'll still call;
Might smell like ole mothballs or mint or maybe even Old Spice;
You see me and you stare, you're looking at the patches of my skin YES! it's different (maybe diseased ) different;
different colors and wrinkled on my face, the gray in my hair;
Yes you still stand there and stare. . .
I may talk bout RCA, Philco record players you say "what's that;
I might talk bout Annie Oakley, BoZo the Clown, Captain Midnight, you say Whose that;
Well child let me tell you all...
Don't throw me away;
Cause I'm just like you;
Don't put me out cause I'm too slow;
You think I'm in the way and I can no longer grow;
Don't throw me away, place me in a rest/nursing home;
Don't put me away because you think I'm in the way;
I', senior don't talk bout me in front of me I don't understand a word you say;
I'm alive, I have more brain cells and I got all my memory, well;
That's more than I can, say for you huh-hey!
Imagine if I'd treated you such;
But I wouldn't cause I've got God's love in me so much. . .
Love you see
::::::::::::::::::::::::what?::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
So I just suck it up turn the other cheek;
I may tumble but I won't fall;
I may forget something's but not all;
And yes I still eat meat;
Cause I got all my teeth;
Remember your just trying to get where I am at now;
I'm a senior don't throw me away;
I'm telling you I'm history and I'm a part of God's glory wanna hear, come here;
Come here and sit down, I sit in a chair can hardly rise or go anywhere;
You see me and you stare I drive slow you begin to cuss and swear;
I won't do you ill;
I won't act like you will;
I'll take you today......
But I won't, I will NOT THROW YOU AWAY
Dedicated to all Gods people's 60 years of age to 100 years
Thank you for your wisdom, thank you for your life. . .
Written by James Edward Lee Sr. July 6 2015©
For the book Poetry to Bridge Generations University Of Nebraska at Omaha 2015©
This poem also found in 2020 POETRY SOUP BOOK:." PS: IT'S POETRY A BRILLIANT POETRY ANTHOLOGY"
Stand by me when your dreams might fail,
And the burning light of your plans grows pale.
Stand by me when the world is cruel,
When they shake their heads, calling you a fool.
Come stand close, rest your head on my shoulder;
My feelings haven't changed, I simply grow older.
Cry your tears, I'll just be understanding;
I realize how life can be too demanding.
Stand by me when your heart is torn,
And your red eyes burn in the light of morn.
Stand by me; why go on alone,
When you knew I'd be here, just like this stone?
Come stand close, hide your face in my sweater.
For me right now, life couldn't get better.
I'll be here, like I've been for a while;
So stand by me that together we can smile.
Stand by me. Please don't leave again.
Never break my heart like you did back then.
Stand by me, and I'll stand by you;
Then I'll hold you the way I've always wanted to.
Stand real close, let the world be forgotten;
Breathe in the scent I wear, the smell of cotton.
Stand by me, I'll bear your weight of sorrow;
Hold on to me, I'll help you face tomorrow.
the holes in the walls are all patched
and the plaster is dry
the broken glass is swept away
or turned to sand
I only want that when I see you,
you not quickly turn away…
to be forgiven--not to start over,
we know how that ends
not to be friends, we’ve tried that, too--
but, that you include my wretched
name in your whispered prayers for
all humanity...
I hoped maybe we'd be
strangers and just
...smile
January 15, 2019
Free Verse Old or New Poetry Contest
Joseph May, Sponsor
Forgive me for loving you, even though you never asked,
a secret kept like a pebble in my shoe, now smarting.
If heart dares to belong, it's just a weakness from my past.
Make scars worth the fight, put back the pin from grenade you grasped,
moment of truth arrives, met with two lips bruised and parting.
Forgive me for loving you, even though you never asked.
I thought I walked the streets alone, wearing a grotesque mask.
You were inside me all along, sweet message imparting.,
if heart dares to belong, it's just a weakness from my past.
How I've missed your awaited touch, and hoping it would last,
our sun grant'd pardons galore, for love's kindled restarting.
Forgive me for loving you, even though you never asked.
I didn't say why I came back, you never took me to task.
tho' written in an inkling, the tear your eye was guarding..
if heart dares to belong, it's just a weakness from my past.
You never miss something until it goes and die is cast.
Your present regifted, from a long ago departing.
Forgive me for loving you, even though you never asked.
If heart dares to belong, it's just a weakness from my past.
26 December 2020
C ountry roots beckon regrets of past transgression
O ne-way ticket meant to soothe my innermost obsession
M emories of you not fading with passing of the years
I mmortal flame has kept alive cherished souvenirs
N aively thinking I’d drift and just avoid the truth
G ames were played in the foolish gardens of my youth
B almy nights not forgotten in the heat of summertide
A ugust breezes summon me to return home by your side
C innabar and cinnamon reverie of your perfume in moonlight
K aleidoscopic magic remembered in your eyes at midnight
H eartstrings of surrender repentant to bygone wanderlust
O pen your heart and grant me a chance to earn again your trust
M oonstruck and lovesick ready to prove myself and pay my due
E nchanted under your spell I’ve come back home to you
AP: Honorable Mention 2021
Submitted on February 14, 2021 for contest COMING BACK HOME sponsored by JOHN HAMILTON - RANKED 2ND
So long have I harped of regret,
For price of vice is not paid yet,
With rueful heart, Lord, now I pray;
O God, won't you show me the way.
Contrite in careless deeds of yore,
As mindless acts morals abhor,
I seek amends, and humbly say;
O God, won't you show me the way.
With remorse I sail for morrow,
Steer life’s ship through pain and sorrow,
And vow, all debts, I shall repay;
O God, won't you show me the way.
In lonesome past alone I moan,
For blunders made now I atone,
And pledge your edicts, I'll obey;
O God, won't you show me the way.
Though evil lurks, tries to cajole,
While, toll immoral, taxes soul,
From goodwill divine I won't stray;
O God, won't you show me the way.
Written: January 12, 2023
Placed 1st: Revealing Your Soul…Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Soto Poet
Form: Kyrielle (eight syllables per line)
Like an ebony rose in a province
of ivory and golden flowers,
you poisoned each peaceful petal
with your senseless scent of death.
You were never just another floret.
Was I a fool to sow your seed in
hope your roots would grow strong,
portraying saffron scarlet hues with
an emerald stalk flourishing with
verdant leaves in serene sapphire skies.
When winds blew too boorishly,
I held your supple sepal with bamboo hands,
so your sunshine spirit would not perish
to toxic storms from organic forces.
I was willingly the earth to your foundations,
but your breaths became too bitter,
stinging in selfish stubborn sympathies,
as wild weeds strangled your stalk.
We could have nourished nectar with
hungry insects in need of nurture,
but your grudge left behind
broken bridges with a trail of
crumbling caterpillars seeking wings.
Cuts from your thorns remain,
ingrained as internal inflictions,
but still I plant bulbs to bloom.
To create an oasis of graceful charm,
where blossoms of compassion
softly soothe petals of pardon
in a garden of a wounded soul.
Forgiveness is a heavenly light.
A radiant beacon illuminating
through a canopy of trees,
eradicating shadows of hatred you
left behind like excessive weeds.
A melody of redemption whispers in
harmonious refrains breaking chains
of regret with burdensome pains.
To let go is like maturing buds
releasing the grip of timeless hate,
as my meadows are a symbol of a
divine mantra only welcoming peace.
To my enemies,
cloaked in t w i n k l i n g topaz~
I’ve become immune
to your illusive m a n t r a s,
recited in roseate refrains.
I’ve learned to see
the vermilion
f l o a t i n g
between venomous
pigments of
psychedelic sunsets
For life is a whirlpool
of uncertainties
slithering through
l o o p h o l e s of adversities
We waltz through
h i g h s and l o w s
while masked foes
orchestrate a
a circus embellished
in emerald s p r i n g s
Yet, I f o r g i v e
your i g n o r a n t skies,
unable to grasp
the vision of loyalty
You’ve long been
preaching in
verses of lyrical lies,
soaring above
catastrophic canopies~
draped with my
sentimental s i g h s
this conscience remains
constantly crippled
by the ecstasy of
poisonous promises~
served from
diamond chalices
once upon
a blood m o o n
There’s still
a pearlescent
shore for faithless
footprints in the
island of h e a l i n g
in the marine bed
of softness
that f l o w s
beneath seething seas,
there I’ll sculpt a
lagoon of
p r a y e r s across
fire corals that
f l i c k e r
in tints of
lethal lime green
As I allow aquatic
pearl ruffles to ripple
through weary waves,
they become the
sacred v e s s e l
that unveils
hyacinth stars,
when your heart is
as dark as the
eclipsed moonflowers
Tonight, I’ll rewrite
the poems I’ve woven
from golden arrows
that assassinated
the alliterative tranquility
in sinister silence
within my inner psyche
In the journey of revival
I’ve mastered the art
of wearing pain
like a crown of
thistles and thorns
I’ll forgive you
amidst unspoken apologies,
and e r a s e the
a c h i n g colors
within greying rainbows,
behind your
soulless eyes.
For, I can feel the
insecurities r u s h i n g
through those veins~
longing for an empathetic
empire that
serves you
k i n d n e s s
So take these metaphors,
make them yours,
ink them across
your s u n l e s s canvas,
and r i s e beyond the
demons that lurk
as shadows within
your a r t l e s s heart.
May the light of twilight,
correct your insincere intentions.