My humble prayer

Forgive. Forgive.
Again today my prayer
repeats that single word.
Even if you cannot forgive, Lord,
yet please, naturally, do so.

I have a love
who is for ever wandering in distant lands
but if his soul stays near me,
I will forgive by death and life
the bitterness and rage of death and life.
In case he comes
after I am dead,
I will command a lamp to be lit.
I pray you do likewise, Lord, for me.
For I am that person to you.

With fragile wings,
afraid of fire, unable to approach it seems,
displaying incurable faintheartedness
on account of
your too great splendour,
until today, when I am advanced in years,
I ever wander ragged in distant lands.

Forgive. Forgive.
Of all that you give
the mildest grace,
forgiveness, that alone,
today again,
with tears and sweat,
Lord, that alone I beg.