I send forth soft touch, Hoping to heal the damage, Done by another, In another time. I dash against a hard soul, Feel the dull edge of rock, Rip rough gashes, And gouge me deep. Tear the tender fabric Of my heart. I retreat, bleeding, Sorrow filling my soul So full that I stagger, Leaving a smeared trail Of lost hope. I slowly stand straight, Anger rising, And view the drying outline Of the trail. Like the ice cold barrel of a gun Pressed to my breast Hatred freezes me. I stop. The target is on my own heart, And the finger on the trigger Is my own. And then I see, That I am needed again. Not wanted, only needed. I feel compassion, detestable, Well up within me. And I return. I send forth soft touch, Knowing full well, How perfectly the dull-edged rocks Match the scars on my heart. There is no justice. There is no 'fair.' There is only the return.