to
forgive you
i
had to go back,
bitterness
falling like leaves
picking
up stones,
gathering
them
by
the basketful—
my
skin, arms, and back
riven
and bloodied
with
the buckling load
i’d
intended to throw
with
my calloused
and
burning hands
but
the sun on the leaves
that
day in october
was
so glorious,
and
i felt so rich,
knew i
was so rich, that
i
laid the basket down
at
your feet and
stretched
out
my
arms
bitterness
falling, gently,
like
leaves
© 2019 jennifer
wagner