To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
—Confucius

Release offenses, abandon locked doors,
empty grudge buckets, remove mulish gloves—
To fend for resentment nets nothing but war.

Jettison anger, establish rapport,
practice compassion, fill vessel with love—
Release offenses, abandon locked doors.

Free the ill feeling, unburden your core,
to remember with rancor deflects love—
To fend for resentment nets nothing but war.

If you feed it, heed it, safeguard its spore,
tend to its growth, you emaciate love—
Release offenses, abandon locked doors.

If you imprint its curse, echo its roar,
abide in its blemish, you impair love—
To fend for resentment nets nothing but war.

If you tally the injuries, keep score,
the olive branch fractures, as will the dove.
Release offenses, abandon locked doors—
To fend for resentment nets nothing but war.

Jeannie E. Roberts has authored five poetry collections and two illustrated children's books. Her newest collection, As If Labyrinth - Pandemic Inspired Poems, was released by Kelsay Books in April of 2021. She's a Best of the Net award nominee and poetry editor of the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs.