Forgiveness is the wind-blown bud
which blooms in placid beauty at Verdun.
Forgiveness is the tiny slate-gray sparrow
which has built its nest of twigs and string
among the shards of glass upon the wall of shame.
Forgiveness is the child who laughs in merry ecstasy
beneath the toothed fence that closes in Da Nang.
Forgiveness is the fragrance of the violet
which still clings fast to the heel that crushed it.
Forgiveness is the broken dream
which hides itself within the corner of the mind
oft called forgetfullness
so that it will not bring pain to the dreamer.
Forgiveness is the reed
which stands up straight and green
when nature's mighty rampage halts ~ full spent.
Forgiveness is a God who will not leave us alone
after all we've done.
