embrace

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

majestic poetics