Lord – if that is how <br />a stranger, I, should address <br />that stranger, you – <br /> <br />I – or one resembling I – <br />have done so many actions <br />which the world would classify <br />as crimes, or sins, according as <br />the one who classified them might believe… <br /> <br />and in the classifications which <br />men attribute boldly to that presumed you, <br />there must be crimes or sins which are unnamed <br />which I have done; good left undone… <br /> <br />indeed, your devotees would see it as a sin <br />if any single breath, any heartbeat passed <br />without their holding you in mind… <br /> <br />So if I understood forgiveness, as beyond <br />the way we scold our children, even punish them, <br />yet never cease to love… <br /> <br />then I would ask forgiveness of my sins <br />in that same spirit; yet I would ask, first, <br />understanding; mine, and yours <br />(though I would hope them finally the same) <br /> <br />for I believe that really, the you <br />that I perceive you as – <br />that really, you’re my best friend… <br />who understands my crimes and sins <br />better than I do myself… <br /> <br />and in that understanding, love.<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sin-and-stuff/
