Repentance (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Repentance
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Friday, January 6, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Repentance -- John Herlihy From infinite depths of soul rises repentance, Clear, still waters with no need for pretense. For one brief moment comes a feeling solemn, From nowhere seemingly, like a prayer – amen. A heavy lid over a burden, a wax seal placed. Knowing the wrong as wrong, the burden replaced. The realization as light as a feather, floating aloft, Defying gravity’s law before landing on the soul soft. The tears of repentance are unlike the tears of grief. Freely they flow for a time, bringing precious relief. Ravaging the wrong-doing and its signature cloud, Unwrapping the mind from the darkness of its shroud. A sorry humanity indeed if no urge there to repent, No desire to plead forgiveness, no penitence sent. A small price it is to pay for what one has done, All the sinister intrigue in a treacherous web spun. Repentance the prelude to the adagio of forgiveness, A sincere cord that takes account and bears witness. Repentance brings the mind back into clear focus, Petals of light now rising from the heart of a lotus. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Monday 19 December 2022

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on January 9, 2023

REPENTANCE IS A GIFT FROM GOD. FOR, '...ALL HAVE ERRED...' AND, '...IF WE SAY WE HAVE NOT ERRED, THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US...BUT IF WE REPENT WE ARE CLEANSED...' AMEN. THANK YOU, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by E Phillips

Reviewed on January 8, 2023

This is the most powerful definition of repentance that I have ever
read. "Adagio of forgiveness" will stick in my mind long after thieves like dementia come to take their fill. What a gift this rendering can have on those of us who do not follow the conventional wisdom of religion.

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

I love those last two lines. They sum up the poem's meaning perfectly.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on January 6, 2023

As one travels the travails of life, it's easy to fail sometimes. I guess repentance, as practiced so well by some religions like the Roman Catholics, provides a vehicle in the confessional.

For myself, if I find that I have transgressed, I try to make it right as soon as possible because I know the other person affronted may be hurting until I do.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Atonement for any hurtful mistake or willing miscalculation that causes pain in another is so little to ask of oneself. Yet, many go through life, whether spiritual or secular, ignoring the peaceful and healing aspect of merely saying one is sorry and asking for forgiveness. I've always held, and I think your poem bears it out, that once one has solemnly apologized for a wrong and asked for forgiveness if such is not given, then the ball is in their court or in the case of spiritual repentance, in the judgment of God's willing forgiveness if one is truly sincere with said promise.