My heart told me you were good,

Even as my mind waged war

And shrapnel pierced chunks

Were scattered across my chest.

My heart told me to trust,

Even as phantoms burrowed into sleep

And held my head tightly

As I struggled for breath.

My heart told me to wait,

Even as fires caressed my tongue

And burned my ears

With the destruction of hesitation.

My heart told me to silence them,

The voices that said you were lying

Lying in wait to catch me

And cut me down.

My heart told me to listen,

But fear overtook me

And now I see she was right…

My very own Desdemona…

How can I forgive myself?