REPRIEVE

Pain my great teacher

Today I beseech her

To shorten the lesson

Forgive my transgression

But I’ve had my fill for a while

So much I am learning

But the fire keeps on burning

And singes my heart in great style

Let this be my plea, then:

I’d love a reprieve from

The emotional pain I’m enduring

Although I am grateful

To sit at her table

There’s too much hard shit that’s been stirring

My insides are raw;

Like a camel’s last straw

I fear that I soon may collapse

So with her permission

I’ll take that remission

Before something inside of me snaps.