Battleground

I’ve been doing battle with you

all day, in my mind.

I force myself to stop

and then I notice

I’ve been at it again

I don’t want to fight this battle —

I want it to turn out to be

a non-issue, want to find

that an inner voice

has whispered to you softly,

convinced you in a way I never could

I want to pay attention

to my own battle,

where I need to stand up

against insinuations

that I could be justified

in thinking I am right and you are wrong,

since in the final resolution,

when my mind picture of you

sees you innocent,

I won’t need to fight with you at all.

©Wendy Mulhern

August 6, 2014