Forgiveness

You lay the earth across

And heaven up and down.

The spot they intersect

Is agony and death,

Forgiveness.

I greedily engrave a tally,

Not erasing.

I remember every stone

To bash my forehead,

Every blade pushed in my flesh,

And every thoughtless promise

Made and left abandoned

Like an impossible child

On a death march.

I don't lose count,

Recalling every face and name.

I've wounds enough

To bleed an angel dry.

Don't bother telling me

To carry crosses.

Who wants to die,

To feel a nail

Straight through the bloody muscles

Of your wrist,

To give redemption

To the ones who kiss

Betraying,

Trusted friends who pierce

And mock?

I'm not your fucking Jesus.

I'm made of mud

And not much heaven.

- 5/29/25