Might We?

How vigorously we struggle with trying to do what’s right, unwilling to accept, it can never all be perfect.

Might We?
      by Odin Roark

This distant wail of guilt

We walk together
You and I
Amidst clamorous anguish
Conscience writhing in regret

So many slippery rocks to navigate
We cross the stream as one
Yet the current sways footholds
The contrite willing to stumble
The arrogant desperately clinging to balance
The flow needing but to allow failure
As grace

So stubborn
This walk together
Unwilling to just admit
Mistakes might feel like drowning
Yet the water wishes only to cleanse

Some of us will make it to the other side
Grabbing bush and vine
Tendrils of forgiveness
Embracing our reach
Giving us solace

Yet

The fallen float downstream
Mouths agape
Forgiveness unthinkable
Even as shore-bound triumph
Smiles with empathy albeit askew
Knowing all is not what it seems

After all

Accomplishments too
Were once forgiving
Before contempt fraught culpability
Made clear the price of victory

Reject not the punishment
Know lessons are waiting
Wanting only the chance
To show the paradox of serenity

Even the holy
Know all is not perfect
In living and failing
In believing and rejecting
Servitude and objection

Initiating one's own belief
Becoming true to one's Being
One's convictions
One's child-like essence
Is but reaching the far side
The creek's trickling seduction
The river's challenge to survive
The ocean's majestic triumph
The all that can so quickly disappear
Off the horizons still unknown

Might we ever know
Where comes wisdom?

Might we?