i want your forgiveness

there's a knock

at the door.

a small old woman

with a cane

is standing there,

i can barely see the top

of her head

through the peephole.

she's a skeleton

in a dress.

who is it, i yell out.

but she doesn't answer.

what are you selling,

i ask.

i crack the door open.

i want to talk, she says.

i want your forgiveness.

i'm sorry.

do i know you?

yes, she says. don't

you remember?

and then i do as i look

into her sad eyes.

i remember all too well

who she is.

closing the door tightly,

and locking it.