MIRROR POEMS
Forgiving and Unforgiving
By John Herlihy
The unforgiving knot untied within the mind,
A most stubborn suitor of the sternest kind.
The refusal to forgive another burns as fire,
The voice of refusal turns humility into a liar.
Anger boils hotly within the outraged blood;
Jealousy drowns darkly in its raging flood.
Cruelty blinds our hearts to another’s pain;
Indifference sets us free of another’s gain.
The unforgiving harbors a heart of stone;
Never to understand, and never to atone.
Forgiving lies bridled within the open mind,
The most tender emotion, unique of its kind.
The impulse to forgive soothes as a balm;
The voice of forgiveness echoes as a psalm.
Generosity opens the gate to mutual return;
Love stirs the restless heart into a slow burn.
Kindness makes us realize another’s sorrow;
Interest in others leads to a joyous tomorrow.
The forgiving person understands true misery;
In forgiving, they find a way to sure discovery.
Even if you are unforgiving, I will never tell;
I forgive your trespasses and fare thee well.
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Copyright ©John Herlihy
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Rose
I added this poem which, in my mind, are similar in nature... Because sadness is often the result of actions by others in our lives... In a time of hate, violence, prejudice and so much more, many are finding it hard to forgive... Me, I'm even right in the middle of both emotions most of th time right now in America... I therefore appreciated the last two lines from John... He has share his thoughts, but recognizes that these are so personal that he knew it would require you to read and consider exactly where you are related to forgiveness... Ponder it awhile and you may see what I did, as a response to the world as it is now...
Glenda
So true. My father called it being, broad minded. (i certainly did have my mind on broads). But my mother was the most open minded person I know. Easy to forgive when someone did something wrong and regretted it.
Keeping hatred within not letting it out hurts the hater much more than the person(s) the hated directed toward.
Ron