The Fire

The pain of betrayal
Blazes in my heart like an open flame
Out of control
Unable to stop it, stop myself,
Words stream out of my mouth
STOP!
I can't
Louder and louder
I'm screaming
Astonishment
Hate
Anger, Pain
Why did that just happen
All alone
Silence filling the air
Then, finally, compassion
Understanding, grief, even love
Emotions flood through me
Dousing the fire
It simmers and dies
Calmness overwhelmes
Breathing slowly
In And Out
In And out
In and out
in, out

Forgiveness