Dream of the Chained

When I fall asleep, I dream of myself crying.
Hunching over with hands over my face, crying.
Then, small arms will reach out to hold me.
Here, someone will always forgive me.

I dream of myself apologizing.
For something I don't remember, I keep apologizing.
She never says anything but keeps holding me quietly.
She doesn't do anything except crying with me, quietly.

In her arms, I beg for forgiveness while slowly breaking.
In pain, I ask to be freed, steadily breaking.
Empty and hollow, her voice echoes back, "You are forgiven."
Numb and broken, I die in her arms, forgetting I am forgiven.

When I wake up, I feel myself crying.
Hunching over with hands over my face, crying.
But there are no arms that will reach out to hold me.
Here, there is no one who will forgive me.