Foremost among life's challenges
is living with guilt
Self-reproach that taunts
like a spider crawling
somewhere upon your leg
Forgiveness comes hard
as hard as pulling a heavy rope
through a knothole
Foreboding thoughts nag
Did you really do that?
Vivid scenes replay
Does the one harmed forgive?
Discomfort loiters, like a roach
wriggling on its back,
kicking all legs in the air,
not knowing it is waiting to die
Embarrassment washes over you
for many intentional, careless mistakes.
Forgiving yourself is grueling.
A confessional booth calls,
come contritely share your lingering regrets.