15 Comments
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Rebecca D. Martin's avatar

Those last two lines. This is everything. Thank you. Thank you.

Abigail's avatar

That image of our Jesus who "hoisted sin with failing lungs" is striking and makes "peace and praise" rise up to "tumble off" my tongue. Thank you for the immediacy of this.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thank you, Abigail!

Ann van der Merwe's avatar

This resonates with my reflections this Lent, and the layers within are rich. Thanks for sharing!

Tania Runyan's avatar

I appreciate your kind words, Ann!

Mark Bair's avatar

Loved this! “Confess, of course, then undertake to breathe

and crack apart your shame-hardened shell.” Yes, it’s easy to lump confession and shame, especially if it’s a habit of thought from early in life.

Shelly Shepherd's avatar

Is there any other way to release ourselves than the reminder that love called these final words of release…

Nick Chapman-Jones's avatar

Lovely work.

Jennifer Wagner's avatar

This hits the nail right on the head. Yes, and amen.

Mark Rico's avatar

The beauty of the work you've done here is in how effortlessly it reads - enriching meaning and form all at once. I love how you've purposefully and effectively stepped outside the sonnet strictures when called for.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thank you so much for these kind words, Mark!

Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Wonderful (as always).

Katie Andraski's avatar

Thank you. This is a wonderful call not to rehash our sins. Ironically I feel uneasy because my sins don’t come to mind and I know we’re supposed to confess them and the saints were super aware of them. At any rate this poem speaks to me about that.

Megan Willome's avatar

Now that is a sonnet.