It’s not for laws I’ve broken
That bitter tears I’ve wept,
But solemn vows I’ve spoken
And promises unkept;
It’s not for sins committed
My heart is full of rue,
but gentle acts omitted,
Kind deeds I did not do.
I have outlived the blindness,
The selfishness of youth;
The canker of unkindness,
The cruelty of truth;
The searing hurt of rudeness . . .
By mercies great and small,
I’ve come to reckon goodness
The greatest gift of all.
Let us be helpful ever
to those who are in need,
And each new day endeavour
To do some gentle deed;
For faults beyond our grieving,
What kindliness atone;
On earth by love achieving
A Heaven of our own.
(Robert William Service)
More Poetry from Robert William Service:
Robert William Service Poems based on Topics: Heaven, Youth, Truth, Grief, Selfishness- Fighting Mac (Robert William Service Poems)
- If You Had The Choice Of Two Women To Wed (Robert William Service Poems)
- (The sunshine seeks my little room) (Robert William Service Poems)
- My Bay'nit (Robert William Service Poems)
- The Summing Up (Robert William Service Poems)
- The Return (Robert William Service Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Youth Poems, Heaven Poems, Truth Poems, Grief Poems, Selfishness PoemsBased on Keywords: canker, omitted, searing, achieving, unkindness, kindliness, helpful, rudeness, outlived, unkept