Crying because of you

Crying because of you


I cannot say I am
crying because of you.
No, I can’t blame you
for self-inflicted misery.

I suffer because I have
the habit, nay, an obsession
of creating pain for myself,
stew in my own brand of hell.

I cannot count the countless
times I hurt you with barbs
of suspicion, poisonous enough
to freeze a tiger in its jungle tracks.

There cannot be a darker power
than jealousy born of doubt.
Oh! Merciful God in Heaven,
on my knees I prithee, atone my sin.

Repentance alone I know, will purge me of this
terrible mistake of torturing an innocent man.
A man, who’s man enough to brush aside
bygones, and sweet enough to love me more.


First Place Winner in Sherri Gibson's Coloring the World contest.