Unforgiveness

splinter in your breastbone lives
there lodged like a small tree.
Withers in winter looms
in spring. Its fruit is sweet
on first bite then turns
into the taste of your own flesh.

Advertising Disclosure: Please note that many links to retailers are affiliate links, which yields a commission for us. allauthor.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon sites.