Flaming guilt a swallowed coal
A holocaustic inferno out of control
We breathe our past with every breath
Forgiveness drunken from the waters of Lethe
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: March 18th, 2025 03:36
- Comment from author about the poem: Lethe was the river that flowed into the river Styx and drinking its water were said to give forgetfulness to the dead of their past life.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 63
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Friendship, GenXer Shamrocker ☘️, Mutley Ravishes, Teddy.15
Offline)
Comments12
Wow, now that’s a mighty is superbly articulated 🙏🏻🕊️
Thanks so much Cryptic for the read and most generous review as always most appreciated
You’re welcome, Soren 🙏🏻🕊️
Good write SB. There's something about 'heaping burning coals on an enemies head', so that they turn from their wrong ways. Meant symbolically.
Of course Orchi I'm sure it has been done and my father said that as children they used to roll burning embers down a plank to watch the toad at the bottom swallow them up.
A powerful piece that made me think,I think I learned something.Well done
Thank you David for the read and comment it is appreciated deeply
I have learned something today which i didn't know, that is always a good thing and i enjoyed the read, thank you
Thank you for the read and thank you for your words of support they are always fuel for the fire.
You are very welcome
Ah...the alluring waters of Lethe. Here's hoping! Excellent, my friend! A wonderful poem that speaks truth to me. Guilt, pain, suffering, all those things seem so tempting to forget, but for the beauty and joy one experiences as well. But we have to ask, does the joy and beauty out weight the pain and suffering? Who knows, but maybe, just maybe, not having any memory might be true peace. Boy, this is sounding more and more like Nirvana! LOL! Just let go and cease to be. All the same, my friend, this poem really got me thinking and for that, it gets a major fave. Well done on this! 🌹👏
Thanks so much Tristan for your review and thoughts they are always most welcome Have a great day
You are most welcome! You too, Soren!
A powerful, short, and simple painting, Soren, Your poem revolves around guilt and the struggle for forgiveness. It suggests that our past mistakes and regrets can consume us, likening guilt to a destructive fire. The reference to Lethe—a river in Greek mythology associated with forgetfulness—implies a longing for release from the burdens of the past. Your poem captures the tension between enduring guilt and the hope for redemption. Which we should all learn to do! I am so guilty of this!
Thank you so much for the read and kind words as well as the interpretation all most welcome.
Wow, and wonderful. 🌹
Thanks my dear friend for your read and comment as always appreciated
Thank you for teaching us all something new today! A good write!
Thank you for the read and comment. Greek mythology provides so many good metaphors for life and emotion that a poet can have a hay day with it. Appreciate your support.
Perhaps we will remember when we're ready to remember? Otherwise the shock of it might be too much?!
Thank you Mutley for the review and the thoughts they are appreciated
May that forgiveness flow in us all soren.
Andy
Thank you Andy for the read and I echo your sentiments let us forgive ourselves and others.
A fine write, a powerful piece, Soren.
Thanks so much Tom your read and comment are most appreciated
Tell it like it is soren. Great write. 😉👍
Thanks so much for the read and kind words they are appreciated
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