I refrain from praying for myself,
I hesitate to grant forgiveness to myself,
Fearful these gestures
Would absolve me of responsibility.

The quilt lay distant,
True happiness eluding me from within,
Casting myself as the villain
In all their narratives.

Striving for cruelty in my nature,
Now realizing
My heart softens,
At the sight of their joy.

I was the one withholding,
Denying myself happiness,
Refusing forgiveness,
Clutching onto my quilt.

I've been here before,
And sadly I did not,
My time has traversed,
Or perhaps it ceased.

With the pocket watch in hand,
Ticking away steadily,
I drew a deep breath,
And whispered a prayer.

© Frost hill