This poem is about duty in the loosest sense and so I offer it for the dVerse poetics this Sunday. I wrote it a while ago and have never found anything to do with it until now.
Forgiveness
I hear of bitter sacrifice
for country, creed, belief;
acts of desperate courage
for lover, parent, wife.
I read of body parts donated
to save a daughter’s life;
of pain endured and heartbreak
by mothers for their sons.
For all the hours I’ve squandered,
all the deeds not done,
every moment’s anger,
each time I couldn’t smile,
for comforts not afforded,
every gift not given,
for gentle word not spoken,
soft caress not shared,
I forgive myself
and in forgiving find
I’ve loved them
well enough.
Sally J Blackmore's Blog 
nice…i have a long list where i have to forgive myself for the things done wrong or not done at all…i’m thankful there’s much grace…nicely penned sally..
i feel you on this…we do have an obligation to forgive and forgive ourselves…for otherwise we destroy life….our own and others…
I agree – it can be hard, but, as you say, essential Brian.
Thank you Claudia. Glad to see dVerse is going from strength to strength.
This is just a super poem, Sally. It is terrific. It describes both the guilt we feel and also, well, perverse satisfaction if we allow ourselves. It is just wonderful. K.
Thank you…it took me a long time to reach that point…