Forgiveness

 

Had never been easy for him, this business of forgiveness

He resonated with the lines of a film song

“It’s so easy to say forget!

it’s a lot easier not to take birth on this earth!”



Resented that his uncle didn’t help, when it mattered

put in a word for a good job that he deserved

that he was qualified for, in both degree & temperament

now, even after two decades, in spite of success

in chosen field, without help from anyone

he was bitter; unable to forgive



Resentment lingers; stories spring up in his head

as to why help wasn’t forthcoming- uncle didn’t want

him to do better in life, than his own son

an assumption that he hadn’t confirmed

as he was no longer on speaking terms…



In all social gatherings, relatives & friends came up to him

after initial small talk, always came up with the appeal

that he forgive his uncle, stop living in the past

the latest occasion was a naming ceremony

“Your uncle is counting his last days;

expressed ardent wish to see you,” said a cousin



He was about to shut him down as usual

when a man butted in, as if from nowhere

“When you forgive, you don’t do it for the other guy

you do it for yourself” he affirmed



As the two stared at the stranger, he continued

“Notice, how it’s your heart that remained heavy and bitter

missing out on the sunshine, the freedom of free breath

Unwanted thoughts chaining you to the past

When you could have enjoyed the present!"



After man left, his haunting words lingered

two decades was too long to live in the past

now, it was he who was impatient for event to finish

uncle’s house wasn’t far from this venue




He would go, soon after- A little awkward perhaps

yet he would go, to finally wash away

years of pain, resentment and heaviness 

to breathe freely, to have a lighter, happier heart!

NB: This poem was composed for the Seniors Today poetry meet and recited during the online meet on 2nd May 2025.