Published on March 24, 2026
Shortly after I began the year with some blessings, a friend sent me Lucille Clifton’s spare, splendid poem “blessing the boats.” We had met at a poetry workshop and shared a resolution to write more poetry in the coming year, so we began taking turns each week choosing a line from a favorite poem to use as a joint prompt. The wonderful thing about minds, about the dazzling variousness of them, is what different things can bloom in them from the same seed.
I had been thinking about forgiveness—about its quiet power to dislodge the lump of blame that often weighs heavily on our hearts. Forgiveness is a complex process that transcends simple absolution; it often requires deep introspection and a willingness to let go of past grievances. As we explored our chosen prompts, the discussions around them illuminated the transformative nature of forgiveness, both for the giver and the receiver.
Clifton’s poem, with its vast emotional breadth, inspired reflections that jumped between the personal and the universal. The simplicity of her words belied the profound truths they contained; they were an invitation to consider not only the act of forgiveness but also the liberation and peace it can bring. It is often said that forgiveness is not just for the one who has wronged you; it is more for the one who forgives. This concept strikes at the heart of why we often find it so challenging yet necessary to embrace.
Each week, as we shared our responses to the poetry prompts, we fostered a space where vulnerability was welcomed. This communal exploration became a mirror reflecting our own struggles and triumphs in navigating forgiveness. Through our writing, we articulated our feelings, releasing pent-up emotions and inviting clarity into our lives. The act of creating poetry together bonded us further, reinforcing our commitment not only to our craft but to each other as friends navigating life’s complexities.
In these moments of reflection, I found myself realizing that forgiveness is rarely a one-time act; rather, it is a journey that requires patience and continual reflection. It often comes in waves, cresting and receding like the tide, each time carrying with it different lessons and insights. As we embraced this understanding through our poetry, we discovered that the process of forgiving is intertwined with self-compassion and the grace of allowing ourselves to be human.
Ultimately, what we learned together was that forgiveness takes not only the courage to forgive others but also the bravery to forgive ourselves. It is this duality that enriches our lives, fostering deeper connections and a more profound sense of peace. Forgiveness remains a potent, lasting gift we give to ourselves, allowing us to move forward unburdened of resentment.