I.
I will not conform,
But I will comply
To bear this pain you bring
So I can loose the chains
Of bitterness and
Feel wind again on my wings.
I choose to bear this
Pain you’ve caused—
The pain you could not dispel—
So I can focus now
On healing and
Making all within me well.
II.
You extend your hand
And in it lies your
Rage, disappointment, shame
Each secreting a
Steamy fume
As you gesture for me to take.
I blink and stare at
The offering,
Gag as the smells reach my throat,
But then I grasp the
Slimy mess
And let my fingers close
Until I have it all
In hand and
Can bear it out to show.
You stare and nod
As my stomach churns
And the blood runs from my face—
I raise my hand toward
Open lips while
A stream of tears escapes.
Then bursting brave,
I toss it in
And my parted lips concave.
It burns and scourges
Bitterly on
My already-bitter tongue,
But once I chew and
Force it down, it’s
Like nothing was ever wrong.
And when it’s gone,
I look at you
And at last, again I see
Those shining eyes
That I couldn’t find
When my sight was blocked by steam.
III.
I choose to bear this
Pain you’ve caused
So I can finally forgive
And release the bonds
Of bitterness
Until all that’s left is to live.