Years spent
in a self inflicted purgatory

         her soul
         torn
         by the memories
         of those
         she could not save

her mind
wandering aimlessly
like an abandoned child
searching
for comfort

         her body
         weak and sickened
         desecrated
         from carrying the burden
     
induced
to sever the chains
that had bound her freedom
for life was slowly fading

            a pardon finally granted
            for that
            which she could *not control