The Weight of Forgiveness

by Matt Schroeder

we must dig deep down

to wherever the weight
of forgiveness has buried
its head in sand in stone in
          something we cannot quite
  find the shape of in our mouths

&try as we must
  to collect in our arms

with whatever strength
can be sucked from the
marrow of our bones
through cracks that
leak from the chipping
of these temples of bodies
we have named home
this forgiveness
this stone necked
cranethis oiled eel

we must fix upon this
contradiction of a feeling
& reel backwards with all
our mightuntil the ground
gasps in delight in surprisein
dirt-throated ecstasy at remembering air

&try as we must
carry forward this truth
of begin this middle path
forward until even the staple
gaze of lowercase god cannot
grace usuntil even the stinging
bite of minor powers cannot taste us

we must if the word redemption
is to make a home of the rooms
that house our many tongues

if there is going to be any

chance to break away from
the forms of glory that tie
us down & say it must be so

for it must be forgiveness that
paves the way
under threat of
whatever these dark-eyed &
feather-throated rulers have
in store for us