Forgiving is not forgetting

but it’s letting go, not thinking of,

releasing. Like imagining

the hurt, slipping it into Mylar,

inflating the balloon
watching it drift away.

Forgetting can be harmful

if past behavior must serve to warn

of need to protect, of caution.

Forgiving is not forgetting

but the concentration,

the constant awareness,

the resident resentment

drifts away. Maybe forgiving
is closer to forgetfulness.