The Words that Hurt to Speak

I don't know how to say
"I'm sorry" to you, though
I can speak the words
themselves. I only know
that those three syllables
will never match the depth
of emotion that I feel behind
them. It seems almost
worthless to even utter the
phrase. Instead, I'll say,
"My regret is perhaps as
profound as the hurt that
I caused you." And, "I will
never do that again." The
memory hurts to recall --
I almost don't dare to visit
it. All I can do is trust that
you will mercifully forgive
me and release your pain
into the cleansing stream
of forgiveness that flows
from the throne of God.

© 2007 Amy E. Hall