My poem was inspired by one of the themes form P. K. Page’s poem called “Sisters”. When l read the poem my mind thought about forgiveness. Forgiveness is not only about forgiving other individuals, it could be also about letting go of the burden you carry within yourself. Normally when l hear the word ‘forgive”, l think about forgiving myself because they are other times in life where l have blamed myself for someone’s death or actions because l felt that l had let them down. Life is full of ups and downs but sometimes we learn to let go, let go of the pain or burdens. It teaches us that everything in life happens for a reasons, God know what he is doing. Letting go of grudges and bitterness. When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward. … These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger and bitterness — even vengeance. To be able to forgive we have to learn to accept the situation, without acceptance no one can ever move forward.

Forgive is to forget right.
Then why does it hurt?
Then why does my throat clench up and my eyes start to water?
If forgive is to forget, shouldn’t l be smiling.
Is something a matter with me?

NO!

Forgive is not to forget.
Forgive is to move forward.
Forgive is to accept
To accept that the past is real and it will always be there.
To accept that the pain will dull, but never fully go away.
To accept that everything that happens to you is a lesson.
To forgive is to show how much you’ve grown.
To understand that we are all humans and humans make mistakes.
To forgive and accept that you finally understand the lessons you were taught.

Forgiveness is both easy and hard.
it hurts and pleases the heart.
It lets you know that the pain is there, despite how much stronger you have grown.

The fear and dread you feel when you have those words.
The conflict you feel as you question whether you should forgive or hold on.

Past hatred and pain comes back and whisper in you ear.
You may want to stay bitter and regret the apology that’s been given to you.
However, to do that is to refuse to grow.
Forgiveness is the hardest thing human can do,
But sometimes in the end it’s worth it and helps you move even further in life.