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Atonement over apology: A poem by Ankurita Khajanchi

 

The path of penance wasn’t full of flowers
The realization and guilt were scraping the scars
The dread and disquiet were so outclass
Unfeigned atonement only might bring back the solace.

For the past cannot be undone, nor can it be erased
The decision to redress it, for it sure cannot be rephrased
Though the fear of not being excused was emetic and vile
Artless expiation only might bring back the smile.

Wails and squeals kept echoing in the ears 
With an urge to efface the smudges of tears
The knees felt weak for the soul now bemoaned
The pangs of agony that weren’t hitherto owned
Genuine repentance only would be the journey from con to the condoned.

Since the penitence was real, the realizations were true
Atonement over apology was the right thing to do
For it is the only way to ease two beings in ever pounding pain
One who had been swindled and the other who promises to never do it again.