Is there a quota for mercy?
Do they give it to the younger angels,
take their hands on clear mornings,
and steer them to the edges of clouds
where they can peer over the banks
into the depths of blue beneath.
All our little prayers bubbling up
to be popped by small celestial palms
crumb dusted from the mercy
their mothers have parcelled out
so they can toss it to the mortals below.
And do some of us know the places
to stand on those clear mornings
where the young ones chatter
and rustle their down like tissue.
Which ones crumble mercy to dust
so it falls evenly and ripples far,
the others who wodge their palms
into pebbles that punch through
but settle far too soon.
Who’s voice calls them home.
Mary Mother of God have mercy, mercy on us all
Vertigo & Ghosts by Fiona Benson
Carol J Forrester 
Such a lovely poem!
Thank you.
Indeed
What a great image – like small children feeding ducks and swans at the water’s edge. I loved the colour of this poem, all blue and white for me.
Thank you Sarah.
Indeed Sarah
I love where your last line has taken you, Carol, and the image of younger angels peering over clouds waiting for prayers, rustling their down like tissue. I hope they catch mine soon.
I’m glad you enjoyed the poem Kim.
Love the questions you ask… is there ever a fair way to handing out mercy… how does the angels cope with all our demands?
There is probably no fair way to hand out everything unfortunately.
It would be nice to know where to stand. Wonderful poem. For some reason, the old movie, “The Trouble with Angels” comes to mind.
Not a movie I’m familiar with, but thank you for dropping by and I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
My pleasure, Carol.
Angels are prevalent out here on the trail tonight. I enjoyed the twist you put on things, fun mixing with drama.
Thank you Glenn.
Nice lines about passing mercy on: “crumb dusted from the mercy
their mothers have parcelled out
so they can toss it to the mortals below.”
Thank you Frank. I do believe that mercy is taught and it’s important to remember that children learn so much from what they see.
Interesting images for prayer answered.
Much✏love
Thank you Gillena.
The imagery is stunning…such a creative piece. I hope mercy is limitless.
Thank you Mish, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Love this one. Can I reblog?
Yes, of course. I’m glad you like it.
Love the image of angels peering over, down on us….waiting for the prayers. The image of the prayers, popping like bubbles….an amazing image to think about.
Well done!
Thank you Lillian.
Who indeed calls them home and washes their wodged hands? Nice to know they’re there, as our prayers bubble upward !
Thank you Beverly, I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
There are so many facets to this poem. I read it four times and each time got a different interpretation. The most striking was the first line-the question now evokes many memories for me. I love the visual of little angels peering over the banks of clouds. I love it.
Thank you Vivian, and thank you for taking the time to go back and reread the poem.
A pleasure!
I really like the ambiguity – what’s more appropriate for the big questions?
Thank you. Religion is always a tricky subject to write around as it’s very easy to sound heavy handed. I’m glad it came across appropriate.
Such an interesting image and I liked the way you carried it through for the entire poem. I was taken to the pond to feed ducks and took my own children to ponds and parks to feed the birds so its an association woven into the fabric of motherhood for me and many others, I’m sure. For me this kind of image lies at the heart of good poetry because it invokes profound associations that deepen the readers’ attention and underscore the point the poet wants to make.
I’m reminded of Shakespeare’s “The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.”
Reblogged this on Writing Wrinkles and commented:
Mercy – one of those words that has shades of meaning.
This poem by Carol J Forrester struck a chord with me. I hope you like it too.
Great post I loved it