Rake Up Your Own New Leaves
Do not look to me for forgiveness
that assumes I have felt wronged, that lays
the blame at my feet for reacting in some way
that you did not foresee,
or didn’t care about at the time.
Only you can forgive yourself for things you have done
or believe you have done.
Do not look to me for redemption.
I was not involved in your fall, so do not
shift the responsibility for your rise to my shoulders.
I am not a convenient project you can use
to expunge your guilt over past selfishness.
Only you can redeem your soul by going back
and fixing what’s really broken.
I am no tabula rasa, no note from home,
no ‘get out of jail’ card,
I am no saint.
Look to yourself.
Look hard and close.
Make your own judgements.
Make your own decisions on what is right.
Look to me only for love.
#165
Linda Studley 