“Cast Down”

Forgive. Forget. Let go. Let God. Find Peace?
Those words sound great, but how do I release—
The pain, the hurt, the grief, regret, self-hate—
That keep me closed to opening that gate?

Turn now my soul to He Who calls me on—
To skies above and realms that stretch beyond—
To where I can once more stand tears in hand
And smile, and laugh, and sing in that fair land—

That land where peace and joy forever dwell.
Release me Lord, from this my private hell.
Open my hands and make me drop my reign,
My rights, my slights, my loss, my gain, my pain.

Send forth Your Grace and heal my troubled soul—
In You, I can forgive, forget, let go!

Karen Beth Kiessling-Koss is a Catholic wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, niece and Registered Nurse who enjoys writing poetry and short stories under the name Karen Koss.