i’m sorry, i tell him
when he has a bad day at work
why are you apologizing, he asks
it’s not your fault it was a bad day
a lesson he has taught me
in our time together
you only need apologize
when you’ve done something
that renders it necessary
the people who have hurt me
have done so unapologetically
left me emotionally trampled
momentarily crippled
then carried on with their day
as though the interaction
was just another transaction
like stiffing the waitstaff
or thrusting in the shank
i didn’t let it defeat me
my love and trust in others
undiminished
my compassion left intact
it only reinforced my drive
to thrive
we are walking on the path
through the woods
behind our home
in silence
the weight of the last few years
like a huge bird perched
on my shoulders
without any prompting
he says
i know you’ve lost a lot
without any benefits…
he doesn’t finish the thought
just trails off
as i break into soft tears
it’s an apology
from someone who has done nothing
to render it necessary
an apology to me
he is apologizing to me
for everyone who never did
we grab each other’s hands
and continue walking
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