I knew the keys

for my future

happiness would be

forgiveness;

closure.

I prepared a pyre,

then gazing

at the flames

meditating on

purifying,

transforming

through fire.

burning the cause

of my pain;

the letters,

one by one.

First one lit;

an heirloom of Mother’s

naivety?

Stupidity?

Irresponsibility?

Telling

my father in law

I put my daughter

In your hands.

Looking at me

over the letter

he mockingly

said

What a foolish

woman

signing you

away to me.

Twenty years

old, an unloved

mill stone.

Second

bitter letter lit;

It was your daughter

who encouraged

my son to

take drugs

and attempt

suicide .

This lie sent

to my family;

wiping his hands

off his son’s pain.

I cried to the sky

I send you love and

hope you have found

peace in the afterlife,

I forgive you for the hurt

that you have caused me.

As I held

my husband’s

constant hand.

The letters burnt

their last bright

existence and

then crumpled

into a little

pile

of

ash