Issue 07: Addiction

Single Issues > 2008 > Issue 07: Addiction > The Nature of Mercy

Marsha L. Mentzer

The Nature of Mercy
Kyrie eleison sung
in hushed whispers
wrongs and sins and pain
barely find utterance
in ancient word and melody
          the timelessness of the universe
          echoes the groans
Christe eleison a softer plea
the Lamb of God will surely
hold us should he hear
          of companions
          thrust from the Garden
and then again
Kyrie eleison
Father look upon the child
for whom your own child died
          wandering in dust and water
          in loneliness and loss

Marsha L. Mentzer writes: “I am a relatively new poet and in a relatively old body. I have taught English at Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for 30 years and still live to tell about it. Thank goodness for the vitality of high school freshmen, the inspiration of colleagues, and the support of my long-suffering husband and children. I have had poems published in Main Channel Voices and Out of Line.”