Forgiveness

he
robbed her of her innocence
with lessons of most intimate fear

He
sent her an earthly angel
with an expiration date

she
lived in terror
at the same time experiencing Love

he
learned love as pain
his past predicting his future

He
blessed one who wanted to end her young life
with one at the end of young life

she
grew stronger in love
stronger still in loss

he
showed love through violence
as he had been shown

He
wept with him at love defiled
tended her heart when all seemed lost

she
tried to die
while yearning to live

he
took his own life
and with it, a part of hers

He
gave her Love
asked of her the same

she
fell to pieces
then put them back together
with help
with Love
but only after
she filled that stolen place
with compassion
and forgiveness
and Love
for another broken human being
for love gone wrong
and for herself

only then could she
put him to rest
feel His continual presence
and love another
completely
complete.

What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is Love. It's God. It's Grace. It's realizing we're all a little broken and all incredibly human. It's knowing God lives in all of us, loves all of us, forgives all of us. It's looking past the person's actions to embrace God-within. Forgiveness isn't something to be earned, it's something to be given. It's not to be held over someone or to given to free someone from guilt, it's something you give to set yourself free. It's something you give to set your heart free. It's something you give to set Love free.