Gifts, Tetrameter Sonnet Options

[Larry]

Gifts

When God encased my soul within
that embryo for life on earth
there was no mark or stain of sin
upon its face until my birth.

The gift He gave was mine to keep
until that time allotted me
when, worn and frail, that final sleep
assailed me with mortality.

What I have done throughout my days
which might dishonor or degrade
this vessel of the soul displays
the choices made. I’m unafraid

for souls are given to be healed
by precious blood that had been spilled.

[Larry]

Hello Anthony and Jax,

What a surprise to find anyone commenting on my posts other than Daniel. Although there were no asterisks requesting critique, I don't mind at all.

Answering the first: It may be because of pronunciation differences but according to my Espy's "Words to Rhyme With" both sets of aforementioned end-rhymes are referenced to be proper. Any long "e" sound rhymes with nearly all words ending with "y", whether it be "ly", "ty", etc. I've no clue as to your problem with "healed/spilled" rhyme.

Now, as far as the theology in L1-4 and continuing throughout the rest of the poem, it all has to do with the gift of a "soul". When it is placed or given by some omnipotent being, it is pure and unscarred by sin or other stain derived from living life. What one does throughout life can mar the purity of that soul but Christian teachings lead us to believe the blood which was shed on the cross washes the soul clean. I know different faiths believe different things and I've explored a few of them but most lead one to believe that forgiveness is given when the truly penitent ask.

Don't really like getting into a theological dissertation so I will leave you with the above explanation of the poems' content.

Appreciate the visit very much seeing as how MM is nearly a ghost town these days.

Larry