Sin And Stuff Poem by Michael Shepherd

Lord – if that is how
a stranger, I, should address
that stranger, you –

I – or one resembling I –
have done so many actions
which the world would classify
as crimes, or sins, according as
the one who classified them might believe…

and in the classifications which
men attribute boldly to that presumed you,
there must be crimes or sins which are unnamed
which I have done; good left undone…

indeed, your devotees would see it as a sin
if any single breath, any heartbeat passed
without their holding you in mind…

So if I understood forgiveness, as beyond
the way we scold our children, even punish them,
yet never cease to love…

then I would ask forgiveness of my sins
in that same spirit; yet I would ask, first,
understanding; mine, and yours
(though I would hope them finally the same)

for I believe that really, the you
that I perceive you as –
that really, you’re my best friend…
who understands my crimes and sins
better than I do myself…

and in that understanding, love.