Atonement

How does one atone
for the days
when you grit your teeth
and let the knot in your belly
spill bile
into the spite you carry
like prayer beads
through your days?

Count the errors,
the harm,
the harsh words,
the deeds done
and left undone,
one sin at a time,
and you will know
your suffering
a thousand times over.

Here you are a shadow of yourself
that joy forgot to cultivate
and that laughter
will never truly find.

Give it away,
this ill gotten treasure,
this inheritance of grief,
Give it all away to the passing breezes
where no thought stays for long
and be free to walk away
into the arms of the beloved.