Grudge

What do you do
when someone lets you down?
They go back on their word
with reasons seemingly absurd
that you can't believe what you heard
so you stand there with nothing to say but,
"What?"

Your mind draws a blank
as you scramble to find the words
but end up rambling
and stumbling
desperately trying to keep your footing
all to no avail as you fail
to regale in this miscue

One look in their direction
and see no malice in their intention
you still find yourself loathing
even with apologies mentioned
the derision for their caprice
testing the sanctity of trust
that now must be re-examined
and scrutinized
dissect in order to inspect
the depth of their treason
for there must be some reason
this cretin displayed such disrespect

You step back and take a breath
as you notice that anger
has taken grasp of your feelings
as if dosing you with some potion
that guides every motion of your emotion
filling you with notions
of conspiracy and treachery
that the person standing before you
is there to harm and injure

But you know this isn't so
Through the disappointment and anger
you find that glimmer of reason
that will simmer the blood boiling
that will lead you toiling
in the direction of repose
And no matter how much this blows
you know in them you'll find no foe
and there's no direction left to go
but forward

That turmoil they've caused
makes you pause to reflect
that we are all flawed
and make mistakes
And that twinge of pain you felt
with that slap of disappointment
will dissipate and fade

As I bring this poem to a close
I suppose you may propose
that I am too nice
as to let someone interject
and disrespect the harmony of my existence
with no penalty or repentance
But to you this I say:
Go ahead and spread
your animosity and hatred
as you grasp tightly on to that grudge
and see just how much
more energy you spend
holding on to such anger

So I'll ask you again
What do you do
when someone let's you down?