This exile –
self-imposed, I confess –
wears thin with age.
Too many winters
braving the cold –
heart’s frozen rebellion
against Father’s tireless raving,
Mother’s queenly submission.
So many moons
engaged in a crusade –
armed with but a hollow sword –
the chill of time lapsed,
irretrievable.
Castle lights are waning,
death lingers in the air,
and only now, on this fateful
periphery, do I wonder –
measure the rage against costs –
blame’s righteousness builds
only walls – faults corpses
rotting either side.
Empty-handed, I approach,
cowed by the enormity of task –
bearing no gifts, no legacy –
only a paltry offering
of forgiveness – pray
I am not too late.
(Image provided by Willow Poetry as her weekly challenge: What Do You See? Also linking up with Frank at the dVerse pub, whose theme tonight is blame and forgiveness. Ragtag Community’s prompt is fault.)
This poem is quite powerful, V.J.
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Thank you LuAnne.
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Wow, a great story, so engaging.
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Thank you
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A wonderful interpretation of the prompt. We are too often caught up in this story, blind to the cost of our stubbornness.
And that’s one beautiful moon! (K)
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Stubborn is a good word. Thanks.
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To return with only forgiveness…wow!
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Your poem is par excellence, VJ. It opens doors to varied ponderances.
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Well thank you!
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yw!
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Forgiveness given too late… this is like the crocodile tears on a funeral
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Yes. Good analogy
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What is it about human nature that allows us to waste entire lifetimes seeking justification, and only when faced with sure death, do we resort to forgiveness? if at all? Beautifully said VJ.
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Thank you Violet. Ego is a strong force.
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What a poem V. J! I felt it picked from the hills of a war ravaged land. There’s a deeper story beneath this tale. When one has been in war or battle for a cause that slowly becomes shaky and misunderstood, forgiveness is sought with much humility.
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It is a tragedy all around. Thank you for your insight and empathy, Gina.
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I enjoyed your poem of the prodigal’s return, V.J., which could be part of a longer epic poem. I want to know what has happened in the years between leaving and returning to the castle. And why the self-imposed exile? What caused Father’s tireless raving? Will the king and queen be forgiving?
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There is definitely a novel in here, thanks Kim. I’m working on it.
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I love it VJ..
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Thanks Mich!
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“heart’s frozen rebellion
against Father’s tireless raving,
Mother’s queenly submission”
A novel in those three lines VJ!
JIM
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Yep – I’m working on it, lol.
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I like how you described forgiveness as a “paltry offering”, without gifts or legacy, and this description: “blame’s righteousness builds
only walls”
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Thanks Frank. Forgiveness sometimes feels ineffective.
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I love the story of the crusader’s return, bearing no gifts but an offering of forgiveness. I too wonder at the cost of those fights and really like your retelling:
blame’s righteousness builds
only walls – faults corpses
rotting either side.
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Thank you Grace, with age we gain wisdom, hopefully.
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Fervent offering V.J., forgiveness is an enormous gift!!
Your poem brought up tears for me, you have turned your soul inside out through these words.
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Merçi, Hélène. I am both pleased and sorry that you can relate.
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Tears of recognition. Thanks V.J.
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Impressive – the overall crusade perspective – and especially: “blame’s righteousness builds / only walls”.
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Thanks Jazz – so we learn as we get older….
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Had anyone tried to explain when I was younger, it would’ve gone over my head, out the window … gotta live some things!
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so true!
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A well written lament.
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Thank you, Heather
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Most welcome!
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