WHEN HARD'S THE HEART

Forgiveness from a heart of stone takes flight,
And ne’er will peace find lasting home unless
Somewhere along the way a wrong’s made right.

As man would stand to fellow man in fight,

The hardened heart can’t see the uselessness,
When forgiveness from a heart of stone takes flight.

Sore wounded pride ne’er heals inside despite

Time passed, as man seems ne’er to learn or guess
Somewhere along the way the wrong’s made right.

How long’s the day and long’s the callused night!

As deeper into self man will regress,
When forgiveness from a heart of stone takes flight.

If man should keep forgiveness in his sight,

And man would but to ask his Lord to bless,
Somewhere along the way a wrong’s made right.

If God would live in man and shine His light,

And in a whispered prayer, man would confess,
“Forgiveness from a heart of stone takes flight;”
Somewhere along the way, a wrong’s made right.

                               --Monty Wheeler