Poetry for Not-So-Ordinary Time

Lent is a time when some give up a habit or behaviour...while others take on one (or more).  This poem was broadcast recently on CKUA's "The Road Home", an hour of 'music and spoken word' with host Bob Chelmick.  I thought I'd share it as an example of something that combines both giving something up and taking something on.



Taken from the website, "bentlily", it is written by Canadian poet Samantha Reynolds.

Forgive

You imagine it will dismantle you

to shed the rage

as though it is the supporting beam

the fuel

the thing that pushes back

against the sorrow

but it is not an ally

it is a sack of rocks

you wear as a coat

making you grey

and small

you don't have to do it publicly

at first

test it on a tree

write it down

say it out loud

under water

but don't let your hands drag the memories

into another year

like a corpse

you won't bury

unfurl those fingers

forgive

you will see that the pain will not drown you

with your hands empty

finally

you will float.

December 30, 2011 - Samantha Reynolds.

Hear her read this poem out loud HERE.