THE LETTING GO

as my face is buffeted
by the coarse wind gritty
with needle specks, i am forced to walk on
through it- to it, i am reminded, remembering
the when, why; what I did to you, to us
-with each step taken, I live it will atone for
willing to be blamed- for not being there for you
when you needed me the most
i was nowhere to be found
so if you cannot forgive me
i cannot forgive myself
and with this, i hope to endure, to take away the pain
i caused you, then, and there
i will put my body through all the paces
of self pity and remorse, willing
to take on the relentless
wind body blows, whatever it takes
- until we are released from this burden, satisfied
of the outcome that holds, binds us both
for in that time-the before, after; the letting go
-whichever comes first, a necessity

by Michael Perry