the abyss, as in a mirror dimly in poetry

liberation from oppression is
of vital import but the moment
we go past that and oppress others
we are even worse than those who
hurt us until our hurt stared back

this can never be about vengeance
let alone the euphoria of “victory”
it can only ever be about people
being humane toward each other

if instead of seeking power
if instead of chasing revenge
if we can use what we’ve endured
to make us stronger and more
effective in our empathy
we can forge something
beautiful inside the
crucible of our pain

or we can just be bastards and
keep the cycle ongoing forever
it is our choice
choose however your conscience allows
but never pretend it isn’t your choice
the one thing they cannot take away
is how you choose to then react
is if you let your hate remain or
if your strength makes you humane