I was taken aback, yet held my tears at bay
Not wanting my vision blurred, and the focus to stay

Who you really are, with certain I feared
Was not the falsely accused man, whom previously begged to be cleared

Your mask slipped to reveal what was behind the attractive wall
A man on the verge, with one foot on the ledge, ready to fall

Shades of the true you, a swirl of dark and light
A struggle of the two, one clearly winning the fight

Your mask lay crooked with half an eye visible
A glimpse through a window revealed a fight between good and evil

A ominous warning of deeds forthcoming
Those of pain, torture and great sadistic longing

It was no matter, the point of no return had been reached
My hard limit of emotional abuse, had quickly been breached

Do not confuse sexual gratification with love
Do not confuse cruelty with intensity
Do not confuse intensity with respect
Alternately
Do not confuse my forgiveness with complacency
Do not confuse my silence with anger

Trust my empathic heart
I saw past your hard exterior
So much pain and conviction
My healing would be inferior

I too, am not what you thought
I sadly couldn't be your savior
You are not ready to be cleansed
Only after you can trust and let your beliefs wavier

Let go
Forgive and love yourself everyday
breathe, breathe, breathe,
You will come into your own someday

I could only absorb your changing tides for so long
My own flood gates overflowing and I'm ready to drown

Recognize another soul with hard exterior and soft under belly
Don't drag me over hot coals or shards of glass if I am not ready

And so it goes, another knight fades to the wayside
In my rear view, the disappointment, I cannot begin to hide

I love you
I forgive you