a delayed forgiving
I’m sorry....
to the girl with unrelenting mental punishments, to the one who felt the cool coax of a man’s disappearing act,
to the father I never blame.
I apologize to that girl….
for treating you with anything but care for, holding you accountable for every evil man’s stare and.... how you come alive under his eyes.
I pardon you from past mistakes, for loving people who never deserved to be liked by you, for always holding out your hand before every callous has fully healed, for letting you believe you were anything but the special starry diamond that you are.
I’m sorry I never saw how brightly you were willing to shine. I’m sorry I welcomed in the darkness so willingly. I’m sorry I wasn’t gentler with your heart, and that you still carry bruises from that time when I wasn’t there to protect you.