088-09

Don't answer harm
With harm
Not because it's small
But because it spreads

I won't repay
What was done to me
I won't say
Now it's my turn
I step back
From the reflex
To strike

Peace
As far as it depends on me
Not surrender
Not denial
A boundary
Can be part of peace
Just my part

I leave retaliation
Out of my hands
I don't carry
What poisons me
Justice is real
But retaliation
Is not mine
To carry out

The wound says
Hit back
The text says
Don't mirror the blow
Fear says
Become harder
The text says
Leave room
Do what is right

Loving my enemy
Does not erase the wrong
It stops the wrong
From rewriting me

Be still
Don't burn inside
Let go
Of rage
It only breeds
More harm

I leave retaliation
Out of my hands
I don't need to win
To stay whole
As far as it depends on me
I choose peace

This is not weakness
This is restraint
And restraint
Takes strength