REPENTANCE

We walked down to the river

Mourning our mistakes

As we walked I wondered when your hand outgrew mine and when our steps

Started to stager out of sync

I came to the river to repent

Ready to lose the war I had been fighting so feebly ( i had fought)

Hand in hand we entered the holy body

We waded in the water united through the silent understanding of our demise

You gently pushed me under

Baptizing me in your forgiveness

Aware of my tight chest and puffed cheeks

You held me there

I fought

I kicked

My arms flailed and I disrupted the calm of the stream

Nearby songbirds flew from their branches to watch the poor victim

My body became weak

Limply, I sank. My knees scrapping the rocky floor

With mercy, you raised me

Kissing my tired arms and raw knees, I was

Forgiven

Without a word you lifted me off the bend

Where we dried off in the September sun

There was nothing to do but bathe in the quiet

I looked down at the clothing

Clinging to my skin

Unwillingly Transparent

Raising me to my feet

You held me once again

Supporting my weight with the same hands that held me under the force of the currents

Minutes ago

Reminding me of the war we fought so diligently