Acknowledge your pain
let it in so you can let it go
allow it to stay a while
so you will know what it feels like when it leaves
even if some questions remain – the unanswered and the unasked.

Take hold of your pain
wrap it up carefully in newspaper because it has sharp edges
which have cut you many times before
it has been with you so long that it is a part of you
but the longer you hold it the heavier it becomes.

Dispose of your pain
making sure it cannot find its way back
let it go with respect
for all the hurt there were also lessons
for all the battles there is now peace.

Forgiveness is not for you, it is for me.

©2017 Seetha Dodd