In Response

I read your words
see them
white on black
staring back
and marvel

Marvel
at your honesty
at your pain
pain I never knew about
but guessed at
deep wells
of suffering
from which you
have risen
born again, coming forth
new and strong

And your fiery pit
has many sides and shades
corners and crannies
players and witnesses
defendants and plaintiffs

I envy
you not being shackled
or muzzled
not afraid to
plumb the depths
of your own depravity
uncensored
unedited
telling the whole
truth
ugly and incriminating
without fear of judgment
and recrimination

Letting those lessons come
cloaked in darkness
or light
unfettered
you enter the waiting embrace
knowing the pardon
has long been
GRANT-ed
GRACE abounds