Peace Be With You

All my sins rise up before my eyes

And choke the light with memories of black.

These acts of mine I never can take back

The lusts, the hates, the snobbery, the lies

And simply you reply “Peace be with you.”

 I stand accused with nothing but the truth.

Thus I thought, desired, spoke and did.

These acts were mine and more, I am sure, lie hid

Buried in the subconscious of my youth.

But your only word to me, “Peace be with you.”

Hidden sins I cannot even bring

Before the accuser, hungry for my faults.

Unknown and festering in dark submental vaults

They lie in wait, and to my soul they cling.

But your command to me, “Peace be with you.”

New life, new love, new hopes send down the blade

Through the water’s shallow clarity

Below the shine of surface charity

Plunging into the murk I’ve left unsaid.

And sharply you remind me, “Peace be with you.”

Who knows what lives down there in all that silt?

The water’s peaceful surface boils in fright,

I blame the dredge for what it brings to light,

And still you plunge the blade in to the hilt

And fiercely promise me, “Peace be with you.”

For this you came, to bring the sword of peace

With wounded healing hands through silent war.

Prying, cutting, searching the very core,

Taking away so that you may increase

My hope. My only hope. “Peace be with you.”