poetry wednesday : forgiveness

July 14, 2010 in Uncategorized

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Is a thousand pains

Placed one by one

In small boats

Kissed tenderly

And sent out to sea

Sometimes a few float back

The exquisiteness of the pain

Remembered

Kissed yet again

Then placed in its boat and sent out

As many times as it takes

Will they ever stop coming back

I can’t know

I can only send them out again

One by one

-Laura S. Walters

This exquisite poem moved me in so many ways: Kissed yet again. I can't know. I can only send them out again one by one.

With thanks to the poet, who is celebrating a birthday today. Happy birthday, Laura.

[Image from here. Images I also loved as illustrations of this poem, but which were not available for posting here: this one and this one.]

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

8 comments to " poetry wednesday : forgiveness "


LauraSue

July 14, 2010 AT 3:58PM

You’re not going to believe this, but that’s exactly how I pictured the little boats. However, I am trying to send mine out on the ocean which is very difficult for such a small vessel. Maybe I should be more forgiving of myself and send them out on calmer waters like those in the picture. By the way, my husband is a stinker and I love him very much.

Maureen

July 14, 2010 AT 9:02PM

Very beautiful poem.

Sandy Kurczewski

July 14, 2010 AT 9:13PM

Amazing….what a beautiful commentary on forgiveness, something we all have had to deal with….thank you Laura for writing it and thank you Patti for posting it….

J Ptak

July 14, 2010 AT 9:40PM

I really loved the images that you created in this poem. Happy birthday, Laura!

Scott Walters

July 15, 2010 AT 6:48AM

Just for the record: I am not a stinker.

Beth Cooper-Zobott

July 16, 2010 AT 10:03AM

Thank you to the poet and to you, Patti for sharing it with us. It was a good attitude adjuster for me…and will remind me to be ever mindful of all of the great things and people I have in my life. Beth

Mark Burdette

July 17, 2010 AT 8:07PM

Very moving poem. Thanks for sharing.

Elisabeth

July 20, 2010 AT 1:34PM

Dear Laura,
Thank you for sharing your gift of poetry with us and equipping us to live out the gospel in a very practical, moment by moment way. Forgiveness is such a daunting practice for me. “Sending out” the particular boat one more time will assist me in the unlearning of my fears and embracing uncertainty until that particular pain has no longer a stronghold on me. Thank you so much. It is becoming part of my sanctifying process by surrendering what is not pure, lovely, of good repute and dwell on things of excellence and worthy of praise. Thank you for such a gentle touch. The photograph is amazing. Thank you so much. Blessings.