judas (poem)

to err
to betray
oh, to be human

he looked in my eyes like he forgave me
maybe he did

marked by a single kiss, yes,
but they did not witness all others before 
     or after

the kiss was
goodbye
I love you
I forgive you
this is not your fault

my father can only have what he wants
I love you
I love you
I love you

I never knew how to love him

the rope found his neck softly, the way his love’s hands once did
leaning in felt safe
a release back into the arms of forgiveness
freed from the guilt
      the remorse
      the hate stewing within