The Weight of What Was Done

It sits heavy in the chest,

a stone that will not rest,

carved from moments we can't take back,

words that left their track.

Guilt whispers in the quiet hours,

replays scenes with bitter powers,

shows us faces we have hurt,

grinds our peace into the dirt.

It follows like a faithful shadow,

through valleys deep and meadows shallow,

a companion uninvited,

keeping conscience well ignited.

But perhaps within its sting

lies a necessary thing—

the proof that we can feel remorse,

that we can change our course.

For guilt can be a teacher stern,

showing us what we must learn,

that from our failures, small and great,

we might still navigate

toward forgiveness, toward repair,

toward a future more aware

of the tender hearts we hold

when our stories unfold.