Poemetry by T.A. Barnhart

2021-11-9

the dream
wakes me
and lets me
remember,
lets me
understand:
no one deserves
to be treated
like that.
not even me.
pain-driven tears
and i’m excusing
those who have
done this
just because
their excuses
are perfectly valid
and totally
unacceptable?
or does this hurt
not count
because i, too,
in living my life
as a human,
hurt others?
then,
someone holds me,
someone i would
look away from
in my fear
of being all
that i wish
to be.
someone holds me
and speaks
my heart’s truth:
no one deserves
to be treated
like this.
not even me.


©TA Barnhart November 9, 2021