To walk away from a betrayal
(the knife still hot in your back)
is not natural. We are made to be enemies
with our enemies. So, what is this
about loving those who
hurt us—
disarming them with willingness
to work it out, and if not,
walk away, wounded, yes, but bearing nothing
permanent or fatal, in the wake
of forgiveness that does its work, regardless
who shows up to take
advantage.
Intimacy requires a close working out of the details that come between us. And this is not easy, and can be a lonely road to travel if there are less than two people willing to get to the root of significant problem or trouble spot. But honesty is the only solid ground to build a life on, even as the door remains wide open to anyone willing to get honest and draw the knives out from the spot they went in, where necessary. Either way, it is a sign of strength to forgive and seek forgiveness when love is on the line.
This poem appears in my new book, “Longings of the Soul, a poetic response.” Available on Amazon.
