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Posts Tagged ‘An International Poem Celebrating “Forgiveness Day”’

“The Forgiveness Letter” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 27, 2012| 1 Comment »

Courtesy of Google image search. No credit available.

 
 
I found myself at the apex of my life.
It was not a twelve step program that entered my mind
but a way to seek “Forgiveness.”
 
The list was long
and difficult to put together.
Many of the names were from many years ago.
 
A great amount of time was spent in finding addresses.
Many of the people of the list
were long dead.
 
It was a form letter I composed.
It began, “This letter is written to ask for your forgiveness
for any hurtful thing said or done to you in our relationship.
Please accept my apology for such actions on my part.”
 
There is now a large pile of letters with stamps on them
awaiting in a box to be mailed.
Some will be returned “undelivered.”
 
A large number of my addresses will never respond. 
A few will write back simply saying that the apology is accepted.
A greater number will write back listing my sins upon them
and close with black bitterness in their closing written words.
 
Then there will those who are the exceptional of heart.
In their return letters
they will also accept responsibility for any hurts
brought to the prior relationship. 
 
There will be a wonderful result in sending these letters.
I did seek “Forgiveness.”
Whether is was given or not
is not important.
 
What will be important
I will then know
who my neighbors in heaven
will be.
 
 
 

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“The Forgiveness Letter” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of Google image search. No credit available.

 
 
I found myself at the apex of my life.
It was not a twelve step program that entered my mind
but a way to seek “Forgiveness.”
 
The list was long
and difficult to put together.
Many of the names were from many years ago.
 
A great amount of time was spent in finding addresses.
Many of the people of the list
were long dead.
 
It was a form letter I composed.
It began, “This letter is written to ask for your forgiveness
for any hurtful thing said or done to you in our relationship.
Please accept my apology for such actions on my part.”
 
There is now a large pile of letters with stamps on them
awaiting in a box to be mailed.
Some will be returned “undelivered.”
 
A large number of my addresses will never respond. 
A few will write back simply saying that the apology is accepted.
A greater number will write back listing my sins upon them
and close with black bitterness in their closing written words.
 
Then there will those who are the exceptional of heart.
In their return letters
they will also accept responsibility for any hurts
brought to the prior relationship. 
 
There will be a wonderful result in sending these letters.
I did seek “Forgiveness.”
Whether is was given or not
is not important.
 
What will be important
I will then know
who my neighbors in heaven
will be.
 
 
 

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