May you find:
The comfort and compassion
you withheld from one who cared;
the peace that you denied another;
honest answers to all you ask;
And thus remember
all you have refused
![Dante's Prayer - Loreena McKinnett [wma]](http://img.allpoetry.com/images/bg/custom/Maatkara/feather-falling3.JPG)
Author notes
[feather: song audio]
Written January 11th, 2006
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 61 of 61
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oh very profound. This is not only a prayer for those departed but a lesson we all should heed before our time comes.
Ann -
yes, may all people remember this, as we have all been guilty of such moments, even with the best of intentions...this is a lovely reminder.
. Rewarded 4
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Very lovely and fulfilling. It seems that only in a few lines you've been able to get a story's worth of a theme and a lesson learned. Beautiful poem!
. Rewarded 4
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a beautiful pic of white dove and a beautiful written.
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I'm not usually much for short poems because they usually lack depth. However, you seemed to execute this one quite well. It seems almost like a prayer, or an epitaph for a loved one.
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Compassionate ways to remind us of short falls either delibrate or innocent.To be more aware of deeds as they reflect surely back upon the immortal soul.~~Suseann
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the other side quite often is the complete other side of what we were, and now must become eternally in order to achieve the highest realms.....lovely write...Artis
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this is gorgeous, absolutely fabulous...i love this poem, the words are just so beautiful, wow, this is really...hmmm you're a moderator and a fine poet! keep writing!
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I found this piece thought provoking. The simpler the words, the deeper it’s meaning, a thought of uncanny feeling, freighting the most fearful of hearts. KMW
Thanks, Kat
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Wow, that was a really deep poem, I could so relate that to a particular 'unmentionable' in my life. You have to have compassion for those people, sadly they are only denying themselves true happiness - that is an awesome pic to
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Thank you, skitza!
It can be to anyone you truly cared for but who rejected or attacked you for it. -
Well.. I read this three times.. and every time it became that little bit more important to me.. Wonderful poem. Short and so powerful.
But who is it to??
Thanks for entering.
skitza
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so true and deep
wish life could be thought like this by all
great poem -
beautiful! So much wisdom, I wish the kind of people who need to hear it could.
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Yikes. This really has a bite to it. (I started to say "this really bites", but then I realized that that phrase has taken on an altogether different meaning.
Excellent job. -
Keep Writing!
wow very nice work!! -
Wow, reminds me of one of those religeous readings..at any rate it is quite a deep piece for so few words, and you've done an excellent job conveying that depth.
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Whoa G,
Truth hurts huh? Once again, I see a strong conviction in your poetry. Good for you! We all need reminders of our briefness with life on earth and we all need to improve our self worth. You are very gifted.
Tommy -
Beautifully written!!!!! :F
Maatkara
You know, this is really thought provoking and deep..... Something that makes one think twice about past doings, and resolution.....
I have truly enjoyed this piece for it's uniqueness, originality and yet it's simplicity.....
Thank you so very much for sharing with me on this site.....
Be blessed with love and light always.....
Your friend,
AngelicMistress
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outstanding
That was short, but elligant. (hope i spelt that right), But it explained alot even thought it was short, I enjoyed that very much. Nice work!
--Vanessa -
Thank you No particular form.
I don't actually have "religious beliefs" per se, in that I don't adhere to man made dogma of any kind. If you read my author page that would give you a hint
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A lovely elegy for the departed. Is this some particular form of poetry. Still wondering about your religious beliefs after reading this poem.
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Oh my! So profound and deep this is. You know, yesterday afternoon at 2:30pm, my Dad's most favorite cousin brother passed away right after having lunch. He was just 3 days older to Dad. We are all deeply pained with his sudden demise. He was not ill but just very depressed with life because of being alone and very poor. His wife and 2 children(22 and 19) had left him many years ago and they stayed separate. He had nothing to call his own. I feel so sad cause he cared for me as his daughter....life and death are like Yin and Yang, when one sweeps over the other, sometimes it hurts so much. Your words here really speak a lot and I pray for uncle's soul to rest in peace and more than anything, to be blessed, to feel loved, cared, protected and happy because he missed these.
Char
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REALLY GOOD, REALLY GOOD
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Wow!!
OH MY! This is absolutly the best poem I have ever read! It has a voice of its own. I love it!!! -
Now this was something that you can call a write, my favourite lines were,
And thus remember
all you have refused -
short, simple and beautiful. All things that this poem is. Great work this was a wonderful peice.
-Nat -
Short, sweet, simple, beautiful, wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very few words are the beat ones and I understand them better! -
Thank you, Eric Hmm, "edgy", "cynicism/bitterness"? On the contrary, the wish for a loved one (regardless of their offence) to experience everything beautiful to learn what they need, is hardly cynical or bitter, is it?
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This seems unusually edgy for what I am used to seeing by you. Do I sense a subtle cynicism/bitterness in this lovely poem? It serves its purpose well - to provoke thought and in this regard is remarkable. It is still a curiosity to me in that I owuldn't have necessarily expected its tone from you. But what do I know (smile)
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Thank you, Wendy! Yes, this can apply to the literal passing of a soul, or to those who reject you and leave without a word or care.
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This is a wonderful wish for spirits crossing over. I do believe some are held back by their own guilt. I know all too well about these things.
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Strange though, the poem of yours remembered me of times that I cease to struggle and make an unwanting but a must retreat to continue to be. Those words yet seemingly lighter than the air gives a tramendous blow just the time when you are not looking.
Rather than a prayer to the departed I felt and interpreted it as a prayer to lost causes and of St. Jude
Edited on Mar 25, 4:44 because ''. -
Wow, there a lot of comments here already that kinda sum up how i feel about this poem, short and weet, excellent and compassionate, just an outright powerful expression of love and caring.
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I love this. And you have a great picture there too. I wish I could find one like it, because I loves those kinds of birds. Your poem is a very inspirational poem with hope radiating from it.
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Concise words from God
I think this poem should appear in a hardcover book and, like Dante's Song, on a CD or CD Rom. The thoughts are indelible and reflect the beauty of the mind from which they have flowed.
The Spirit of Peace within has moved mountains and will surely move us! This composition is trtuly a benediction in the root meaning of that word. 's to the author with a bequeathing of words, to me, the reader, which have marked me forever. That is some claim and I am here to make it. Lyndon
Edited on Mar 13, 7:50 because ''. -
this is really good short and simple and straight to the point this is still really good poems are meant to be whatever lengh the writer want them to be and this one gets straight to the point it is really good thanks for sharing
Kristi -
Thank you, fair! One doesn't necessarily have to be literally 'departed' (dead), though - just 'gone'
~Gen
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Well I hope someone says this for me after I die!! Actually it was very good..you could probably write those prayer cards they sell in religious book stores,I love those things. Anyhow, I will check out more of your work as you seem to be unique and well liked by others--Great job--fair
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Well done! You just continue to amaze me!!!!
Maggie -
Brilliance True Gold in Heart & Soul!
My Beloved friend Genelle Marie,
I hope and pray one day love will set you free.
The beauty and sadness reflects as a crystal
In your true heart of compassion and beauty
Now that I feel your tears and pain in the rain
Viewing the lone white feather drifting solitary
May the next compassionate heart you love
Be worthy of your love and lift you high above
“Ain’t no cure for love”
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Thank you for your generous comments!
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I'll be honest with you....you are one of the best writers on Allpoetry from what I have seen in these two poems of yours. Seriously, this is AMAZING! You're on my favourites list.
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Thanks suseann! Yes, that's right, that's the other well known one of hers.
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I'd commented before but it's still just a beautiful.I missed the song link before.Seems like I've heard her work before.Somethink called The Mummers Dance,might be spelled wrong.~~~Suseann
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Thank you! I hope it only appears simple
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Inspiring
Simple, but truly beautiful. Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing! -
Hi Andy Thank you, and good to see you too.
Yep, that's closer. The previous comments may help clarify it for you as well.
~Gen
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I read it again. Not payback, but the loss of the love that was offered. A prayer that they may find it. Maybe I am getting closer.
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I get confused in the last three lines. Is this a form poem? I understand this poem to be about payback, or karma.
It is good to see you again. It has been sometime. I hope you are doing well. -
Excellence
This is a poetic beatitude or blessing upon the individual in the human condition of imperfect relationships with those around him/her. It reminds me of a hymn-prayer: "Dear Lord and Father of mankind/ Forgive our foolish ways ...". The alliterative "comfort" and "compassion" are perfect twins in the context of this poem. The fruits of the Spirit are there: comforting another; showing compassion; extending peace; honesty. The structure of the poem, like a diamond or crystal, suggests indestructibility and compactness. The wording concretizes to this very state!
The words "withheld", "denied", "refused" are spaced through the words spreading the condemnation of negative inaction (sins of omission) carefully. Guilt or conviction of it sends one to ask for grace. Your poem gently bestows it in the invocatory "May you find". Where is everyone? This is masterful poetry. Lyndon.
Edited on Jan 18, 7:52 because 'typo'. -
Utter Beauty in your prayer and magnificent i
A prayer of Grace
A holy song
Lighting our wings
Beyond the pain
Honesty is the gift you bring
Verses that sing of everything.
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Good
Lovely prayer. Simple but effective -
Wish I had a magic word,to make it what it's not.But it's much better to of loved and lost,then to of not.Their lose,not yours.You are passionate enough to of felt it.~~~Suseann
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It does speak volumes of you forgiving the person but not forgetting their actions. Still very considerate and forgiving this piece. To wish this person heartfelt happiness knowing that they were not as graciously kind and unselfish, it definitely makes you a better person. With more people in this mindset instead of an eye for an eye there would be less blind souls and revengeful hearts. A beautifully penned poem and so full of depth.
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Thank you, Margaret!
Yes, the unresolved, or unsolved, cannot be forgotten. But I came to the realization long ago that apparently negative experiences don't really happen to us, but for us. So, one can be grateful for the insight gained.
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I think this is a beautiful wish which brings peace to the one who can say it. This is what it means to pray for our enemies, to really hope that things are well. On the other hand it has an edge which shows that previous actions are not forgotten, because that may not be possible.
This reminds me of Gibran's, "I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers."
however, perhaps one can learn to be grateful.
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This is rich in wisdom and beautifully written! It makes me think of the scripture that instructs us to pray for those who have hurt us. But there is more here. In the end, coming to terms with these things and sincerely hoping the same for others is really where peace lies. This is a prayer filled with unselfishness and grace. Bookmarking this one.
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I got words of forgiveness, I just didn't believe she really felt it...so maybe the fault was mine for not accepting it. Ah, long ago stuff, but makes now for an interesting study. Thanks for waking me up before work!
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Wow! I knew I'd get a brilliant insight and analysis from you! Thank you!
To answer your question, if they are reminded of their wrongs by experiencing the things they wouldn't/couldn't give, then yes: I would be satisfied. Not my place to "absolve" them, exactly, but when it's someone you loved it hurts to see them hurt themselves by their hurtful behaviour. You just hope they will come to some realization of that some day. Forgiveness is always ready for one who really wants it.
~Gen
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Damn you and Margaret! Sorry, but you've both cut me to the bone. Similar messages for me. Both remind me of my last failed relationship and questions I asked.
As you know I'm no poet so I look at content (though the poem reads well to me...sorry, as technical as I can get with poetry)
But the message, wow! And yeah, it works! Bites at a part that most of us don't wish to be bitten...right where our pride resides I guess. But I doubt many learn except from pain, though your notion of goodness teaching those who haven't been is quite an interesting take. Most people would want the same treatment given...pain to teach of pain...and I admit that the treatment I was given reminded me of a hurt I once delivered to someone. You know, your suggestion may even sting more, and thus have more lasting effect.
I guess we all have trouble seeing the other point of view, the others pain, sort of makes us look very shallow doesn't it? I guess we need lessons like the one your poems hopes for...Question? If one recieves these honest answers and sees what they have done wrong, does this absolve them in your eyes (if you were the one wronged?) It is a question I can't yet answer.
Edited on Jan 11, 5:44 because 'I am a dog, typos are me fleas.'.
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