forgiveness

i am much more than my mistakes

though i do not expect you to forget them

i am much more than my flaws

and i know you have often noticed them

i have stumbled and even fallen

but i have always dragged myself back up

then again

i have watched as you lost your balance

and reached for the easiest solution

only to stumble again

still, there is room in my heart to forgive you

to tell you that perfection would be boring

all of us have blurry edges

so today let us begin again

let us reach out to each other

and hope that tomorrow will be a better day

Author's Note

At sundown, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur will begin. It is the Day of Atonement....the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is a day for our souls to be cleansed and for us to reflect. I walk into the new year knowing I live my life as I should. It is also a day to remember....to say Yiskor for our loved ones who can not be with us anymore. It is a day of fasting for those who are able. May you all be written into the Book of Life for another year and may this year be a sweet and peaceful one for us all. Wishing you a meaningful fast and the blessing of memories of those who are no longer at your side.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

One of my favorite Eagles songs is The Heart of the Matter where Don Henley sings, "I think it's about forgiveness, forgiveness, even if you don't love me anymore..." It's always better to let things go that eat at our hearts, for our own sanity, if nothing else. We can learn from our mistakes without holding grudges and carrying around a razorblade suitcase full of resentment. We are all guilty of some mistakes and we should be able to own up to that shared humanity. I read somewhere that the only difference between a fool and a sage was that the sage learns from his mistakes. Here's to learning, growing and finding peace with others and ourselves. I enjoyed the read, F.

[Lydia Shutter]

Fabian, I always enjoy your detailed reviews. thank you so much...and mentioning a Eagles' song in the review made it very special for me. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Lydia. We must know forgiveness.
"still, there is room in my heart to forgive you
to tell you that perfection would be boring
all of us have blurry edges"
I did enjoy the above lines. Regret and anger become a heavy load to carry. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry. I did like this one.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, John. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Lydia.

[Tom]

Strong in spirit, ethos and reasoning, we fall, get back up and hit the road again a little wiser than before, determined, resolute to continue this journey rather than give up, after all, the road to success is laden with obstacles.

' i have stumbled and even fallen
but i have always dragged myself back up
then again
i have watched as you lost your balance
and reached for the easiest solution
only to stumble again '

Penned with a open-mind and forgiving heart, kudos Lydia!!

[Lydia Shutter]

thanks so much, Tom. I think as we get older, we realize we are fallible beings. Lydi**

[Robert Haigh]

There are too many people in this world harbouring grudges and bad feelings. Two of my cousins didn't even attend the funeral of one of their parents, due to a long-standing family feud. A sad situation, showing extreme stubbornness and a lack of compassion, in my view. I agree with the sentiments of your poem, Lydi**. None of us are perfect, and we should remember that fact when judging others. A poem to make us all think!

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, when families fight, it is so sad. Your cousins will regret their actions for sure. Thank you so much, Robert. Lydi***

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lydi** your poem is beautiful and filled with compassion. None of us are perfect. We all have our flaws and all of us have made mistakes. Forgiveness is such a loving thing to consider and more so to action. I read your author's notes with interest. May I send my very best wishes to you for the holiest day in the Jewish year. I wish you very happy and peaceful days ahead dear poet.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Chris, thank you so much for the review and the New Year wishes. Without compassion where would this world be? I think we could use a larger dollop of it! Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

A beautiful Sunset… of Autumn colors …
when we remember the closeness of Spring and those we hold dear. Atonement is a blessing… I think of Fiddler on the Roof and the Song, Sunrise… Sunset… swiftly go the Years… one season following another… laden with happiness and tears… Amen.. Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Pat.

[Sami Khalil]

Hard to do but worthy. Hard to erase the facts and abuses to one another. Forgiveness has lots of benefits. Still working on it myself. There is the forgiveness of the self, the others and the one comes from God.
An excellent, positive poem.
Happy holiday or holidays.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Sami. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome Lydi.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

forgiveness relieves such a burden when there is anger for whatever reason...it isn't easy to do but sure feels better.
this message matters so much.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

If we harbor resentment, it festers. Thank you for your review, Jacob. Lydi**

[John the Baptist]

I find myself for once appreciating the author's note as much as the poem. Both seeking and granting forgiveness are spiritual tasks of the highest order. Sometimes one is more difficult, sometimes the other. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don't. Sometimes forgiving ourselves is the most difficult task of all.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, we all need to remember people make mistakes. Forgiving oneself is all important. Thank you, John. Lydi**

[Lorry]

To err is human, to forgive... I can't recall 😊
It would be a boring old life if we were all as perfectorated as we thinkle we are Lydi.
I've grown quite fond of my blurry edges.
I can't be perfect though, only betterer than I've been.

[Lydia Shutter]

Lorry, your reviews never cease to put a smile on my face. I think you are perfectly perfectorated! LOL Thanks so much. Lydi**

[Lorry]

You be weclome... I mean welcome 😊

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A powerful and empowering message that defines this poem so eloquently. It reflects the power of art and why poetry is fundamental to those higher ideas. It defines the evolution of the heart, and its gift of unconditional love. Very nicely done Lydia.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Carlos. Lydi**