poetry

resolved: not taking the blame

resolved: not taking the blame

like Siddhartha
he knows how to wait
silent and still
quiet and calm

less certain is how
he will take in
the guide’s excuse:
you moved too much

as we unmeld ourselves
from the fronds and branches
I hear his breath catch
fighting back tears

on the long silent walk home
I wonder what he will say
when he can speak freely
hoping he won’t accept the proffered blame

at home the tears come
and relief on both accounts
he knows who he is
and won’t be told otherwise

how is it at 12
he already walks away from suspect guilt
with clear eyes and a steady conscience
when I still can’t shake my Catholic days?

One thought on “resolved: not taking the blame”

  1. Mom says:

    Owen was raised in an empathetic, non-judgmental home, not a Catholic one. That’s why he can be objective, thanks to you. It’s never too late to shake the guilt free❤️

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