my soul is twisting
judging me and begging you
to release me from pain
to say I am absolved
I am understood
I am esteemed still

but I know that is not what I need
I need me to say
I am absolved
that I do not need absolving
I am simply me
trying to do the best I can
as are you

and I know
I am real and whole and good
no matter what you think
or I think you think

we are all struggling to be right
to be certified free from defect

but we are not
we are human

and we are trying
and I am trying
and I am me
and that is enough