i forgive my past self
for not knowing any better.
i forgive my past self
for staying in spaces
that didn’t feel safe.
i forgive my past self
for not recognizing
the patterns sooner.
i forgive my past self
for tolerating, enduring
pain in the name of love.
i forgive my past self
for putting others first.
i forgive my past self
for holding on tighter
than she should’ve.
i forgive my past self
for seeing potential
where there was none.
i forgive my past self
for caring too much and
ignoring her own needs.
i forgive my past self
for forcing herself
to be someone else
in order to keep
others happy.