(I wrote this poem in 2016, it sadly seems just as appropriate now … )

Ugly

Stark

Hurtful

Words

Printed

On white wall

Magically

Erased

By the forgiving paintbrush

Of a required re-

painting

Out of touch with reality:

Ugly

Stark

Hurtful

Words

Imprinted

On black life

Would be

Magically

Erased

By the soothing voice

Of a required re-

traction

A step towards hope:

Ugly

Stark

Hurtful

Word Wounds

Lacerating

Black soul

Could be

Gently

Respected

By a white voice

Of genuine re-

pentance

Has someone ever been forced to apologise to you? What effect did this have on you?

How can we tell the difference between a required re-traction and genuine re-pentance?

Do repentance and forgiveness always go hand in hand or is one possible without the other?

Consequences to actions may change behaviour, but how is the heart changed? What makes it possible for some people to genuinely repent?

Please feel free to engage with these questions in the comments section – let’s have some dialogue!