One spring among our first of thirteen years
When we were new and no one dreamt of pain,
Forgiveness, not foreseeing any tears
Took its inheritance and left. The strain
Of living face to face without a touch
From time to time of unadorned acquittal
In several years would grow to be too much
To stand. Where problems once had been too little
To dwell upon, they crystallized, and massed
Till everywhere infractions joined, and hardened
Surrounding everything, and held us fast
Each morning face to face again, unpardoned
From yesterday, and yesterday, and on.
Till all the hope we started with was gone.
Now having smashed it all and gone to madness
And back again, and picking up the shells
Of hope from a receding tide of sadness,
We wait. Our inexperience compels
An ordinary patience while we burn
For prodigal Forgiveness to return.


Salon.com
Comments
Every line and phrase in this poem speaks to me. Perhaps that is all that I can say right now. Perhaps that is enough.
Whilst there is small succor for dark regret.
The armor of necessity must endure
The miseries that life projects. There is no cure.
We must be made to experience and accept
The fragility of all loveliness, be adept
To shunt aside from our life's courses
All destructive energies, corrosive forces,
Since time has great promises and fertilities
To be tamed by hopes and our abilities.
Susan, if I read anything at all, it was what trilogy mentioned in her comment a little later: we've all been there in some form or another. Thanks for reading.
sweetfeet, I'll get to your Paris post in the next 24 hours. Don't leave without saying goodbye, ok? I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.
anna1, "Perhaps that is enough"... that is more than enough. I'm glad you're there.
Jan, it is a privilege having you comment here. Your last two lines are marvelous.
Dave, thanks. I will get to your BP poem tomorrow. Please forgive me for not stopping by yet. Work was a monster today.
trilogy, oh dear, you said it again. Now you've gone and raised the bar -- and it's my bar! I'm going back to light verse for a couple of days. Can't take the pressure.
Patty, I am so taken by your attention to enjambment. Thanks for the open call that started this one.
Goodnight all. Thanks. Come back tomorrow! Fresh verse served daily!