a long life

life is long
long enough for a brute to gain humility.
long enough for him to recieve forgiveness
and accept his liability.

long enough for a whore
to become a beloved mother,
who flushes at indecency
soft hearted as any other.

long enough for a thief
to repent and make repayment
long enough to heal, so his vicous greed
has left behind no remnant.

long enough for God to do his work

Yes, just long enough for that


long enough to learn that humiliation can be withstood
long enough to cultivate a humble heart regardless of mood.

long enough that even a grain of bitterness
will wear away a hole.
and also long enough that every ounce of pride
can be blanched from a willing soul.

long enough that just tredding water gets very very old.
long enough to excite horror of the seamingly endless road.

but do not fear,
although darkness may corrode our eyes
although it will sometimes surround us on all sides
God is good and life is long.

long enough for God to do his work in us.

Yes, just long enough for that.