The old man
The old man,
who thinks he’s dying,
approached me
with these words.
I am sorry
for all that I have done.
Falling to my knees,
I wept and trembled.
I don’t know why.
His eyes revealed
the truth he spoke.
He is truly sorry
Yet my belly cries;
It’s not for me
that he repents,
nor for the pain
I have long suffered.
I can forgive,
for here and now,
but will not ever forget.
He has too often shown,
when the climate shifts
to clearer, calmer days,
he is likely to become
his hurtful self again.
(2013)
