For the health of my family tree, I write to say I forgive you and ask that you forgive me. We were two broken teens from broken homes and we had a broken marriage. You reached across decades and miles the night of July 7, 2018. I heard your voice for the first time since you told me, “I’ll take those boys from you because it’s the last thing I can do to hurt you.” Then I find you with your enabler brother doing a series on how to have a successful divorce. Both of you former preachers and I listened to the hypocrisy and dishonesty. I fought my way up out of that dark and dreadful night of doubting and praying. Two preachers and me. How could we be serving the same God??? So God says in my spirit, “You take care of your relationship with me. Let them take care of theirs. It is not your business.” I wrote this poem about our marriage. Please forgive me. I forgive you.

Ashes of Roses

I hold the

Heart-shaped box

Filled with

Dried rose petals

Whispering a prayer

I strike a match

To incinerate memories

Love killed

By words and blows

I walk

Out of the

Shadows

Scattering

Ashes of roses