Let all the fruits ... be their forgiveness

In the wake of Inauguration Day, I wish to express my gratitude for the words of Phil Jones and John Corneal, for the vision and craft of the 3rd Way Collective and RAWtools, for the courage and conviction of Jaimie Miller and all advocates for the disabled and disempowered, and for the brave activism and positive message of the State High students and their walkout for hope and tolerance.

I offer the words of a poem I came across by chance by Cynthia Bourgeault. She recounts that an unknown poet left these words by the body of a dead child at Ravensbrück death camp. She credits “A Book of Prayers,” edited by Lynn C. Bauman and published in 1999.

Oh Lord, remember not only the men and women

Of good will, but also those of ill will.

But do not remember all the suffering they inflicted on us;

Remember the fruits we have bought, thanks to

This suffering — our comradeship,

Our loyalty, our humility, our courage,

Our generosity, the greatness of heart

Which has grown out of all this, and when

They come to judgment let all the fruits

Which we have borne be their forgiveness.

This story was originally published January 28, 2017 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Let all the fruits ... be their forgiveness."