Forgiving, Defined

The definition of forgiving is, “I give up my right to hurt you for hurting me.” ~ Vernetta Howell

I can make you hurt,
but why? In hurting you,
I don’t pass it on,
don’t relieve myself
of earlier hurt. In fact.
guilt kicks in, no matter
how I feel you may have
sought out conflict,
dished out more – and harsher —
than I could give. I still hurt,
and ache that I have stooped
to payback, to vendetta.
Forgiving feels right,
appropriate, with just a pinch
of better than, but right
and appropriate overcome,
and I march forward to living.