One Word Poem by tej Singh

Confusion

Darkness

Pain

Sour sensations of bitterness

Shooting blazes of anger

Tears

Trapped

Lost

Guilt

Death is sought and beckoned for.

One Word

A whisper

As a sparkling firefly

A tiny glimmer

Of hope

Penetrates that deep darkness.

It flitters

And her eye beholds it, wondering, captivated by its light.

One Word,

“Forgiveness.”

Her eye widens with amazement.

But again the soft whisper,

“Forgiveness.”

Gentle

Yet strong

The Word circles her form.

She feels its strange energy.

It lures her

Slowly, pale light trails behind the Word

And gradually brightens around her.

She beholds the light.

“Forgiveness.”

The Word beckons Hope to rise in her being

And Joy desires to follow

As the light increases.

A pure, fresh breeze touches her cheek

And gives sweet air to her pale lips.

She sees pieces of color illuminated all around,

A forest of hues

Rising out of the miry darkness.

Faith calls her to believe.

Suddenly Fear snatches her heart.

A scream—“It’s not possible! ”

She leaps away from the light and runs back to the darkness

Weeping

Trembling

Anguish ripping

“It cannot be.”

Silence.

Then

Somehow

She knows.

She knows it is true.

Her mind knows it is true.

Now her heart will embrace it

Or reject it.

The whisper,

“Forgiveness.”

Quietly she yields.

She lowers her head

Shuts her eyes

Takes a shaky breath

And turns toward The Word.

The glow warms her face.

She opens her eyes.

Peace wraps around her.

Praise, joy, and dancing will come

But now she is in quiet humility and rest

As her darkness fades

And Forgiveness shines.

By Tanya P. Ziegler