What but the love of God could have softened <br />And made forgiving the people of Spoon River <br />Toward me who wronged the bed of Thomas Merritt <br />And murdered him beside? <br />Oh, loving hearts that took me in again <br />When I returned from fourteen years in prison! <br />Oh, helping hands that in the church received me, <br />And heard with tears my penitent confession, <br />Who took the sacrament of bread and wine! <br />Repent, ye living ones, and rest with Jesus.<br /><br />Edgar Lee Masters<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/elmer-karr/
