Forgiveness Poem

My offering for National Poetry Month:

I forgive.

I forgive myself. I said stupid things, did stupid things.More than once. [Much more than once.]I did not understand then. I understand now.I understand the why. I understand the how.And I understand who I need to be today.Right now.Here.With you.

I forgive you for all of your errors. Even if they caused me pain.[The suffering was my choice.]Oh, you had demons.And demons had you.Maybe still do.I honor the lessons I've learned.So I forgive you. And I can even thank you.[Who would have ever thought that?]

I forgive us, for all the times we think we can heal the whole big planet.Without first looking to heal ourselves.I forgive us for our collective fascination with the unimportant [news that isn't news, manufactured drama, featureless fads].How we let them control our emotions, building a mounting tsunami of anxiety.I forgive us for allowing ourselves to be swept away.[And failing to keep an eye on what's really important.][Which is love.]

Oh, it's forgiveness we need. The whole big planet of us.We know how.And we know who.[It's us. To each other. For each other.]Let's not make the past hurts present.Let's not let them drive our days.Let's acknowledge the pain (it's real) and allow ourselves the grace to be better (now).

Can you forgive?