Forgiveness Poem by Rebecca Bekker

I forgive you for thinking I was strong
I forgive you for thinking we were alright,
We did not complain
For we saw no reason.
Your ears were closed.

I forgive you for thinking we would bounce back.
I forgive you for not seeing the marks on our arms.
We did not complain.
Your eyes were blinded by the pretence
That all was fine.

I forgive you for breaking our hearts
I forgive you for uprooting us
We did not complain
For we were helpless.
Your heart was stone.

I forgive you for making us suffer
I forgive you for the poisonous lies.
We did not believe you would betray us
For you were our mother.
Your tongue turned acid.

I forgive you for being selfish
And wanting to tend to your wounds.
I forgive you for turning away from us.
We did not complain,
We thought you needed time to heal
So we healed ourselves.

I forgive you for everything:
The anger, the hatred, the lies, the depression
You gave us.
I forgive you, mother.