Sorry

“Sorry” spills from my tongue
more often than it should- 
for accidents,
for inconveniences, 
for moments that aren’t my fault. 

It slips out like silk, 
and honey,
and spring-
something easy 
and familiar.

So familiar it’s there
before I need it, 
before I call on it,
before I can think of it.

It just comes
unprompted,
unneeded,
but there. 
Always there. 

After years of shouldering blame,
of accepting punishments, 
that weren’t mine, 
“sorry” is an old friend
and  
an unequal partner. 

~Madeline x