i sat among the thorns

they pierced my heart

and filled my eyes with tears

my wounded soul would now retain

the wisdom learned for years

anger blinds the eyes to love

revenge too much to pay

a fortress wall to shield the heart

will not remove the pain

pity builds a victim mind

which chains me to deep fear

discomfort stirs my spirit on

and drives me from despair

what’s left behind

i did not need

a shedding of the waste

for only then i start to taste

 the truth i came to know

the thorns were meant

bring to me

damage unrepaired

i moved beyond the pain to build

a gentle place to live

for from my wounded heart

will flow

a way of life…

Forgive.