Three little words

 

Three little words.

"Not your fault."
Instant exoneration;
Ending months of self-imprisonment
weighted with guilt and shame.

The opined sin:
Grievous emotional harm.

The norm: feeling foolish.
Nowhere to turn 
to find truth.
Faulting self.

So much speculation.
So much grief.
Curiosity run rampant;
No hope for debrief.

Flagellating, chest-beating;
repeating mea culpa, ad infinitum.
Confession and penance  
without absolution.

But, in just one moment,
Exculpation was at hand.
Freedom from doubt;
Remorse and chagrin erased.

Just three small words.
"Not your fault."
Fifteen characters,
including spaces.
And the prison door swung open.

Three more words:
Peace of mind.

©Ellen Pepper 2025
image: dreamstime.com