Forgiveness (Poetry)

You — who took the younger me
and carved my worry lines
You — who took a mean-edged knife
to further hurt’s designs

I wish for you a softer bed —
a sweeter sleep to come
I have no hate to offer you
and more regret than some

I’ve rubbed away my angry skin
the flesh we shared is raw
the wound renewed with every stab
in memory’s old war

Yet still I love my enemy
although he loved me not
forgiveness is the gift I send —
it’s everything I’ve got

You — who left the older me
with little more than pain
You — who nurse a rusted knife
will feed it to the flame