A Plea For Mercy

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by Anne Porter

When I am brought before the Lord
What can I say to him
How plead for mercy?

I'll say I loved
My husband and the five
Children we had together
Though I was most unworthy

I'll say I loved
The summer mornings
I loved the way the sun comes up
And sets the dew on fire
I loved the way
The cobwebs shine
On the tall grass
When they are strung with dew

I'll say I loved
The way that little bird
The titmouse flies
I'll say I loved
Its lightness
Lilt
And beauty.

Comments

  1. La FraméricaineJune 10, 2009 at 3:35 AM

    Reminds me of James Lipton asking his interviewee's at the end of "The Actors' Studio" session--"If there is a God, what would you like to hear him(her) say to you when you get to The Pearly Gates--only in reverse.

    What I'd like to hear her say is, "Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

    It's summertime, my dear Distracted friend. I hope that you are enjoying some sunshine on your shoulder and that in your own world there is serenity and warmth.

    Amitiés,

    ReplyDelete
  2. robertJune 10, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    thank you

    ReplyDelete
  3. OwenJune 10, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    The dew drops are indeed a kaleidoscope on the other side of eyeballs...

    A line from Bruce Cockburn comes to mind, from his lovely song "In The Falling Dark" :

    "Light pours from a million radiant lives
    Off of kids and dogs and the hard-shelled husbands and wives
    All that glory shining around and we're all caught taking a dive
    And all the beasts of the hills around shout, "such a waste!
    Don't you know that from the first to the last we're all one in the gift of grace!"

    ReplyDelete
  4. RudeeJune 10, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    When the time comes, I think we should express gratitude for the small little beauties and miracles we've experienced.

    ReplyDelete
  5. aimsJune 10, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    I swing between believing and not believing. Such is life. But I have sometimes wondered the same.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Erin DavisJune 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    I can't think of anything better to say. Perfect. I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ricky ShamblesJune 10, 2009 at 12:19 PM

    That's beautiful.

    I think if I were to say "titmouse" in front of God I'd giggle.

    And I think God would giggle back.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJune 10, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    Hmmmm....
    I think God is always giggling.....
    At least I hope so.
    Smiles!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Teresa aka TessJune 10, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    Lovely bogpost, thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. FrikoJune 10, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    the poet says "I'll say I loved......."
    what more is there to say.If any God where to find fault with that......

    ReplyDelete
  11. KathleenJune 10, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    Well, you've gone and done it again. You're inspired my next post. Stay tuned. Gorgeous photo.

    ReplyDelete
  12. debraJune 11, 2009 at 4:37 AM

    There is a sweetness to this poem--perfect for an early summer's day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Batteson.IndJune 11, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    Amen!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Annie CoeJune 11, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    Beautiful and wise. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. KathleenJune 11, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Some come on over and see the post you inspired. And thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RNJune 13, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    I'm speechless, exquisite.

    ReplyDelete

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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