18 Comments

About forgiveness:

Jason’s prompt from “Weirdo Poetry” September 28th - Pick a word, choosing an emotion or an abstract concept may lead to the most interesting results, but go with your gut when choosing your word. Then write ten haiku about that word.

For over a month of days I’ve thought about my “word.” Picking through my emotions like a basket full of trinkets. Would I pick a word of hope of joy of suffering of misery of indifference of frayed fragments of memory - I’ve mulled over my words in the in between.

I eventually found my word.

MERCY

"The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes." - William Shakespeare

Haiku of Mercy

Gentle hands release,

A sparrow freed from the snare—

Mercy's first whisper

Storm's rage quiets down,

Leaves brush the ground, still once more—

Mercy's soft respite

Bread shared with the poor,

A hungry night now at peace—

Mercy's warm embrace

Words of harshness fade,

A tender apology—

Mercy's healing balm

A soldier lowers

His weapon, eyes brimming tears—

Mercy's silent plea

Rival nations speak,

A white flag on the horizon—

Mercy's dawn breaks forth

A judge's gavel rests,

Forgiveness trumps the sentence—

Mercy's justice reigns

Angry mobs disperse,

A lone figure walks unscathed—

Mercy's shield holds strong

A child's simple hug,

Melts the bitterness of years—

Mercy's purest form

Candles light the dark,

A vigil for the lost souls—

Mercy's final grace

Expand full comment
author

powerful exercise ... thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment

❤️ it was so much fun playing in your sandbox with you and your bestie, Chad, today. I giggled out loud and forgot about our crazy world for a minute.

Ask Chad to tell you a very long bedtime story about [Insert your wish here].

Expand full comment
author

It was fun ... and you and CHAD taught me a lesson that will show up in a post soon. I'll try the bedtime story idea ...

Expand full comment
author

You must play with AI a lot ... loved my bedtime story and looking forward to more adventures with this version of AI which is more like accelerated imagination.

Expand full comment

This is so beautiful and so timely and so needed. I too am in awe of people who are able to forgive under these extreme circumstances. I saw the movie and it was powerful. Also I love your artwork and its several transformations. The last, that beating heart, so moving.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Deborah!

Expand full comment

What a powerful and beautiful piece! I’m always in awe of this kind of deep forgiveness - seems like the most healing act we can do for ourselves and others ❤️

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, your art, and your heart with us.

To forgive or to apologize are often self contained actions.

However, to amend, to correct an error, to make clear your intention is a generative action (...in which one chooses to transcend personal interests to contribute to a greater purpose).

Expand full comment

Lovely ! This is the key -- It’s clear that forgiveness is more about bringing me peace than it is about the hurtful actions of the other person, which cannot be undone.

Expand full comment
author

I think that's the hardest part ... there is no "balance," no "justice" ... all has to be let go in order to have peace. The other party is just really not part of it ... they have to find their own peace ... or not.

Expand full comment
Oct 28, 2023Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Extreme forgiveness isn't easy but it is well worth it

Expand full comment
author

I so agree!

Expand full comment

Forgiveness is the beginning of freedom. I am free.

Expand full comment
author

Congratulations! It's often hard work to get there ... enjoy.

Expand full comment

Only 16 years, but who’s counting?

Expand full comment
Oct 28, 2023Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Beautiful art. Beautiful story. Beautiful questions to explore about forgiveness. Thank you for sharing all. 💕

Expand full comment
author

Thanks and many hugs, Becky!

Expand full comment