mercy

this is how it’s supposed to be.

you’re supposed to be begging 
for mercy.

your knees should ache from kneeling 
 & your chest should be heavy 
with the weight of it all.

if you don’t fall to your knees now 
 & then, swearing up and down 
 you can’t take it any more—

how can you know the limits 

of your own heart?

& if you don’t cry out 
 for forgiveness

all the while hoping in secret 

that your folly can continue—

how do you know what it is 

to be humbled?