(back to Bode
     Hall home)

Secret Songs of the Passive-Aggressive:

Part 2, "Sorry"


Oops, sorry.

No, really. I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

Can't we both be sorry?
Why should we either be sorry?

*
Did you think you'd hurt me?
It was just a touch.

Did you think the touch was unwelcome?
It's only what I have been waiting for.

*
Was it only unintentional?
Accidental?
Too bad.

If not,
Know that you may.
Forgiveness is easier than permission,
To give and to get.

But forgiveness is only rejection of rejection,
Permission is a come-on-in
Out of the storm.

*
Next time,
Smile into my eyes first,
Then bump my shoulder, elbow, hip
life
All you want.


-skyler, January 1999