THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

#1

All of us have known the guilt
that comes with lies
and thoughtlessness,
with plotted malice, spiteful words,
and treating others poorly,
and thus the joy and sweet release
of true, sincere forgiveness.
But what of when you've done the deed
and lied once more to hide it?
There is no pardon,
absolution,
no forgiveness coming.
Or when the deed is just too great?
The heart too hardened 'gainst the soul
of sorry offender, lousy criminal,
she who hurt the victim?
Though she should anguish,
cry aloud,
and pit'fully beg for pardon,
if none should grasp the flailing hand
to free her from that action
--a single breath of mal intent--
is she then damned forever?

#2

My blackened soul
accumulates
and counts its every sin.
So very many moments have I
spent on hurting others.
And so I'm punished, pay the price
for all of my transgressions:
A crushing guilt I can't escape
a list of deeds I won't forget
to haunt and drive me crazy whilst
I contemplate confessions to
the slew of people much deceived
in thinking me an angel.
But you can save me from this fate,
these waters of Perdition;
the only key to free me lies
in loving heart
and loosened tongue.
What can I do but beg that you
do read these words, acknowledging,
the part of me that's sorry, love,
this heart of mine that cries.

A/N: While numbers one and two are separate poems, I feel that the piece is incomplete if the two are not read together. The idea is that the two poems would complement each other in such a way as to convey my thoughts without the workings of the poem getting too hairy. So quick recap: that's two poems, one piece :)

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