Words thrown
like a decades old
emotional Goliath-
I know my worth
I can stand on my own.
You lit an inner fire,
& what was meant
to tear me down
has only inspired me
to continue to grow
I think you should know
My slingshot was aimed
at an angry sun-
who had forgotten The Son,
Who blindly thought
that anger wasn’t empty –
who forgot that this
War has long ago been won-
Yes he missed his mark,
Time and time again-
because Love never fails
and anger pales against
the coolness of patience.
As I waited with kindness
in the shade of that tree
We laid beneath- before I knew
& yet I still forgive you
for absolutely everything,
because that is my strength,
I am the strongest woman
you’ll probably ever meet,
Do not confuse my endless gentleness
for some kind of weakness-
Do not confuse my
refusal to kneel to
your demeaning level
as an inability to rise.
I can see goodness
in you-
despite your lies-
Despite the anger
you wear as your armor,
Drop the sword of pride
NO! – You have missed
your mark-
Time and time again –
in the very definition of
what it means to be a friend –
& I think you should know…
My slingshot has only
ever been filled with hope-
With only the aim –
That you would surrender
your pain just once,
That you would
let those walls fall,
& finally open your eyes-
Like His love has opened mine.
Gretchen Leary (McIntire) 