that bite and sting
where they sizzle still
blistering my careless tongue
charred by regret
would that you allow me
a sip from your mercy cup
to sooth the searing pain
of bitter words
which should never have been spoken
Mercy Cup
that bite and sting
where they sizzle still
blistering my careless tongue
charred by regret
Strong words in this piece. Asking for mercy after messing up can be hard
Not an undertaking for the timid Arcadia, but essential for those of integrity…!
such a painful place to be in at least a few ways
That is true Jade, but if one causes pain, one must endure pain to restore the balance…
a little like self-induced karmic retribution…
Yes Jade, I see it. I was mildly inspired by Peter Gabriel’s “Mercy Street” from his brilliant album, “So”.
A sip from your mercy cup …. I love this Rob ????????
Thank you Christine, very much… 🙂
I’m not sure why may emoji came out as question marks. Sorry 🙂
I have published my own blog for well over a decade, and it runs on an old WordPress platform. It only recognizes the “old school” smile and frown emoticons. Does not recognize emojis. 🙁
This is incredibly strong in its prayerful tone and message, Rob 🙂 woww!!
Thank you Sanaa! The phrase “sip from your mercy cup” came to me first. From there I crafted the poem.
Nice line: “a sip from your mercy cup”
Thank you Frank. As I commented to Sanaa, that is the line from which the poem was born.
Good use of alliteration, Rob.
Thank you Jane!
A winner quadrille, brother; the quality of mercy, the real deal, divorced from guilt–something many of us don’t think about much. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you Glenn! If one has wronged someone greatly, one’s contrition must be pure, with no attempt at justification, just a petition for mercy and forgiveness.
Being someone who shoots from the lip, I identified with this very evocative poem, Rob!
Genuine sorrow must be absolute Bev, no rationalization…!
I too like that sip from the mercy cup. We all deserve that sip.
Sometimes it’s the only way back to balance Grace, if we have truly harmed someone egregiously…
This is one hard cup to swallow for both… it actually fits the next prompt as well.
Imagine my surprise Björn, when I read Frank’s prompt! ????
I do like your ‘sip from the mercy cup’ and the sense of regret runs very deep through the poem
Thank you Xenia. We I have been a jerk, fool, an ass in a situation – regret haunts me like a ghost. Guilt is terribly difficult for me to shake.
Yes. A sip from your mercy cup. Seems there is an old hymn with that line in it. I find it easy to forgive others but hard to forgive myself.
Don’t know Toni if I assimilated the phrase, it seems likely somewhere along th3 way in my 72 years? I hear you loud and clear. I have a near impossible time ridding myself of true guilt.
I like the direct address to the reader, which drew me in and made me think about ‘scorching insults’ and how they might make me feel. A sip from a mercy cup would certainly help, Rob.
It was a real time inspiration that informed my writing approach in this one Kim. Glad it drew you in… 🙂
Yes. This apology would work!!
You think Judy!? 🙂 I have never offered one quite like this, but I guess if I felt it was deserved, I could put one together…
Blame redeemed by mercy and grace.. a great gift when given and taken.
But not easily done Dwight…
Your plea for forgiveness is perfect!! I love it!! And of course I forgive you, and the mouth that made you say it.
Thank you! It was exhausting to conjure Annell… 🙂
Bravo! I love the metaphors of stinging words and drnking from the cup of mercy.
Thank you Vivian,I am pleased you do… 🙂
So hard to take back that which has been spoken. Nice combining of prompts.
Yes VJ, wouldn’t it be nice if life were like a reel to reel tape recorder, just rewind, splice and edit!
Excellent use of the form Rob. Very well done.
Thank you Violet!
it takes a person of integrity and a noble spirit to admit they were wrong, to ask for mercy in humility. you used the quadrille well Rob, I felt the words dance
If one can’t find that in themself, then they won’t receive it from others Gina, and the balance of life will remain disturbed – and that is no way to live.
I’ve been there myself. We don’t always anticipate how our words will cause hurt, but asking for forgiveness is a necessary step to healing.
Yes it is Kerfe, for both parties. For the injured party the forgiving allows for a stat toward the. reclaiming of dignity. For the party who caused the hurt, it allows for a healing of the guilt. Overall it enables the opportunity to reclaim the balance between the two parties.
Well said Rob. Your plea asking for forgiveness is dead on.
Thank you Linda! Glad you liked this… 🙂
A beautiful poem, a sacred prayer.
Thank you Mary! 🙂
A powerful plea and more importantly…sincere.
Glad this resonated for you Mish! 🙂
The mercy cup is offered only when the offender surrenders h/her heavy cross of pride …
A superb understanding of the situation Brendan. The mercy cup will burn the hands of someone possessed of toxic ego, and deadly to someone feigning contrition.
“Blistering my careless tongue
Charred with regret”
The imagery in these lines is so vivid, my tongue is burning!
A warning Sara, to always be careful what you say…! 🙂
‘would that you allow me
a sip from your mercy cup’
is a lovely way to ask for forgiveness
Thank you Nora, glad thst phrase resonated fir you.
We all need to ask for mercy from time to time. It is a wonderful gift to be given.
We all definitely do Kerfe, for sure.