Mama tells me
“Just forgive, sweet daughter.
Separate the person from their actions.
Forgive who he is on the inside,
The man God intended him to be.”

That is what a good Mennonite would do.
Just turn the other cheek.
Take the abuse.
The lies pounded inside you head
So hard you don’t know if they’ll ever come out.

Daddy tells me
“I’ve done nothing wrong.
You’re selfish, I’m superior.
Don’t cry,
Or else I’ll give you something to cry about.”

A good Mennonite forgives their oppressor.
They allow them to hurt their bodies.
No matter,
We are not of this world.
We will not allow you to take our spirit.

I am weak,
Terrified of what might’ve happened,
What did happen.
I have lost my spirit and cannot forgive,
Not like a good Mennonite.