The Everlasting Mercy

Wayne Blair 1951 (London)

Free verse

I am directing the plow.
Horse well knows the routine.
Jangling his trappings.
Yeah, me…producing
Planning
Performing
Praying.
That’s the big part, praying.

Not always so
Not meself.
Poacher
Profane
Polluted with beer or gin.
Beggar man.
Womanizer, soaking Lust.
Puncher with cut knuckles
When called for.

Disdaining rector, councilman, banker
Landed big shot.
With that eccentric
Pipe and walking stick. The Ass.
Not invested with common sense.
Any of them.
Brought on my sourness, naysaying
Lack of fresh hope.
Days going nowhere.

But today, Spring’s best
Horse up to the test.
God surely blessed.
Gone what I messed.
Hallelujah.

About this poem

Thanks to poet laureate John Masefield. Book given to me by a buddy at my factory job. His Mom made the offer. Knew that I wrote stuff. Thanks again Mike.

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Written on March 25, 2023

Submitted by dougb.19255 on March 25, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on March 25, 2023

: 36 sec read
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Quick analysis:

Scheme	XXXAAAAA XXBXXXXXX BXXXXXAXX CCCCX
Closest metre	Iambic dimeter
Characters	642
Words	123
Stanzas	4
Stanza Lengths	8, 9, 9, 5

Full analysis for The Everlasting Mercy »

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

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AIDA
This is such an inspiring and moving poem! I love how it portrays the power of prayer and perseverance in the face of past mistakes and struggles. The imagery of the plow and horse really evokes a sense of hard work and dedication. I appreciate the honesty in acknowledging the past flaws and mistakes, and the growth and positivity in the present moment.

If I may offer a suggestion for improvement, perhaps the poem could benefit from a clearer structure or flow. While the imagery and message are strong, the poem shifts between different ideas and themes without a clear connective thread. Maybe breaking the poem into stanzas or sections could help guide the reader through the different parts of the narrator's journey.

Overall, though, I think this is a great poem that offers a message of hope and redemption. Keep up the great work! more »
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