Sifting sands are interlaced
souls like grains innumerable
good and bad, light and dark
transcribed by fire to glass are we
.
the human family
.
and yet we see not
that hidden before our eyes
the hardened sands deceive
see what we wish to see
.
that I am right
and I am right
and I am right
and you are wrong
.
deceived by good intent
we see them not
we know them not
deceived by good intent
.
And so the master,
of all and all is he
hath said, to us
we are the grains,
.
transcribed by fire to glass
bound together as family
imperfect? yes
together, in imperfectness
.
forgive and forgive
forget and forget
seven times seven hundred
and then some
.
can I say I am the pure grain
and that you are the impure?
Shall I shatter the glass that was forged?
to judge which grain you are?
.
because in the glass is reflected clearly
.
that I am right
and I am right
and you are wrong.
.
And so in righteous fury
to assure that all see clearly
I shatter that which has been made
by holy hands and cleansing fire
.
and with its breaking
my vision is lost
for I have shattered family.
within that reflection, was me
.
and from the shards I bleed
hold aloft that grain of sand,
the impurity within the glass?
to shout to all the world that I was right
and I was right
.
can you not see that I am right?
.
and upon my hands,
the shards remain
still cutting
and I am sorrow
and I try,
how I try…
to put it back together.
but withhold forgiveness of that mote
.
In my eye there is no beam
.
so say I, it MUST repent!
or this cannot mend
.
I will not forgive and forgive
nor will I forget and forget
not once nor twice
til all acknowledge
.
that I was right
and I was right
and I was right
and you were wrong
.
and so it feels like poison
the helplessness
the powerlessness
the shame
.
I am free
and I have chosen
yet the poison still remains
the lie still remains
.
and so the Master
with fire and light and truth
forges on and purifies
the glass, the human family
.
the crystal lattice in beauty grows
as child bears child
the family grows
family grows
.
yet one thing remains
that one poor grain
it was I
it was I
.
can you forgive me?
tho’ I would not forgive?
will you forgive me?
tho’ I cannot forgive?
.
the poison is bitter
and I am imperfect
who will drink this cup?
.
the answer is clear
.
dear sister, dear brother
forgiveness is there
and He has drunk that bitter cup
He has drunk that bitter cup
.
within His holy house
the light, through crystal shines
on each wall the glass reflect
from eternity
to eternity
.
the Human Family
Robert D Pemberton 