Poisoned Trees

Can hatred put you in a worse prison than this? The prison of your own mind Where you relive the very moment, That incarcerated your life. Again and again you live it The blood surges in your veins Your hands curl into fists You are trapped within this. On a constant loop to play. You think I am a child, Maybe so, but today, I have the wisdom, And with my sinners heart, I reach out to yours, You're tearing yourself apart. Of course I am a child, Compared to your vulnerable age, But I have read the Word, I know what it says. Forgive as you've been forgiven Turn the other cheek The strong don't inherit the earth The earth will go to the meek. In your flesh you will fail In the Spirit you will rise. You grin a cynical grin And look at me with tearstained eyes... "She got AWAY with it. And I want to see her fall. God will get her for it, I'm just mad I won't be there." I reply with Scripture Love as God loved us, For love does no harm to others And covers a multitude of sins. But your heart was beating wild, I could see within your breast, I warned of the hardening heart, You laughed as IF I could jest- About that. Forgive as God forgave, Surrender to His will. That means letting go of your pride, Your anger- Then, you will Be freer than you've ever been And no one can hurt you- You have no right to judge her. After all, she could be you And you could be her. As I listened to you speaking, I recalled a poem I'd read. About a poisoned tree Watered with tears that thirsted for vengeance. And one morning the owner woke up, His enemy was beneath the tree- Dead as a doornail. See what unforgiveness will do to thee?