Forgiveness

[Achebe]

Forgiveness


Forgiveness is the difficultest state
of mind to enter with sincerity—
but none's more needful, dissipating hate:
contrition's naught, forgiveness verity.
Apology can help:  it soothes a sting
of felt injustice, disrespect perceived—
but begging for indulgence cannot bring
release, unless forgiveness is received.
Still harder is a case where some will not
apologize because they stand accused
of what their grandsires did, or their race wrought,
who rightly feel their present selves abused.
But there, relenting's trouble isn't lack
of true confession, but that letting go
of vengeful motivations for attack
would leave a void—snuff out a warming glow.
And this is why forgiveness benefits
not each recipient but its free donor
whose soul it liberates from ancient writs
to daily live in unforced peace and honor.

I don't know if a simple ababcdcd etc rhyming scheme helps. If you're sticking to regular rhyme and meter, then a more complicated rhyming scheme or a defined form such as a sonnet (Spenserian, no doubt) would be seen as a bit more of a challenge. As of now, the regularity and simplicity of the rhymes makes it a bit monotonic.

I don't mind the central hypothesis, but I think you're taking too long to come to the point in this one.