Forgiveness Project

I light two candles –
one in gratitude for my escape
one for the souls of my captors

Forgiveness is not on the table…yet…

The first candle
I light with intention –
inhaling liberation
exhaling confinement

How long before my consciousness acknowledges freedom?

I light the second candle
teeth clenched,
unable to control
the tremor…

Is it futile to pray for the wicked?

This wick never holds –
A sign, I’m sure,
harmony out of reach

I will let mine burn a while
revel in the gift of light
give thanks, so much thanks

Then, purposefully
extinguish the flame
prayers carried skyward
by the smoke.

One day, the candles will burn
simultaneously, each flame
matching the light of the other –
equilibrium restored.

That’s my goal, anyway…
        …should I allow forgiveness.

(For Sadje’s What Do You See challenge.)


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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

44 thoughts on “Forgiveness Project”

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  10. I really like what you have done with this one. Forgiveness is not something done lightly, like a child being able to say I am sorry at the parent’s insistence. A very thought provoking read!

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  14. What a challenging endeavor to be grateful for escape while still acknowledging the need to forgive the perpetrator. Very few can maintain that balance. Thank you for sending that kind of energy into the world. Even if you cannot forgive now, and that is a difficult pill to swallow, at least you have that as a goal. That intention itself sends out positive energy. I appreciate your words that express a feeling so hard to put into words.

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  17. VJ,

    Your contrast between gratitude for escape and acknowledging captors, along with contemplation of forgiveness, really makes me think…. You’ve really expressed the goal of achieving equilibrium (and the hesitations around forgiveness) with authentic introspection – I love that.

    ❤
    David

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for your thoughtful response, David. While I think of the many still captive and those released I draw from a bit of my own experience – not nearly as devastating, but requiring healing nonetheless.

      Liked by 1 person

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