Redemption

Misled by pain.
Betrayed by love.
By visions of
imperfect love.
By unseen ghosts
of demons past;
and by a heart
too hurt
to love.

I saw you in my
wretched state
as one who wishes
joy—to death;
to silence what I
could not trust,
and push redemption
far from us.

But in each other,
has time proved
redemption had a
dual claim:

I faced my fears,
and took a chance,
until the truth
of love
remained.

In time, I've learned
to learn
from you;
I grow the wiser
when I do.