An Echo of Forgiveness

My father's dying and asking for forgiveness.

You wonder pass the small fragile 88 year old body and stare at a lie. 

You turn to feed him, shave, wash his skin which sits shallow as a puddle. 

He once, when huge and mighty, leaped from the cliff of life. 

Hand in hand with his son they fell so far it nearly took a life time to land. 

He stared into understanding eyes. His weakness stared back. 

After the pleas for forgiveness fell from his lips

I looked long and hard at the echo of his words 

Which laid conveniently on the floor.

I gathered them and put them in my empty pocket and 

Carried them all the way to my father's grave.

Reviews

[Alfred Kukitz]

For all the negative events in my life I can still manage a smile. Thanks for visiting!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Harboring anger is much like a cancer, and it will eat you up inside. I feel certain that your forgiveness will be richly rewarded!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

holding onto anger takes so much effort...and I agree...forgiving benefits us probably more than the one we forgive...
this reminded me of lanston hughes' poem "cross"--in a way.

excellent piece.

[Alfred Kukitz]

I forgave my father but I did it for my benefit not his. I knew the anger would eat at me.