I’m Not Sorry

I’m sorry –
I’m sorry that the shadows lie
I’m sorry that you have to cry
I’m sorry that you’ve suffered more wrong than right
I’m sorry that you have to fight

But I’m not sorry –
That it will make you strong,
Cast a mold where you’ll belong,

I’m not sorry –
To tell you to hold tight
That night gives way to answer the light

I won’t feel guilty –
For demanding your strain
For insisting you bear this pain
For reminding you that metal’s refined
Made stronger by the heat in time

I refuse –
To allow you an inch of despair
You can’t claim that no one cares

Look past the styling’s of the beast
Look at the whole and not the piece
Correct what you cannot stand
No self-derision, but demand

Don’t you dare look to the dark
Unless to see how bright the spark
Take command, take control
And I know the beast will surely go

There’s hope, don’t you see
In the darkness of man
Between all that wickedness -
Love’s proffered hand.
Not love in the sense of lust or greed
A love that unbinds, a love that sets free,
It battles with hope right in front of your face –
Offers you armor, offers you grace

How can you hold tight to a darkness that conspires?
Lights you up with a deadening fire?
When right there is a cool embrace
Waiting for you to take your place.

I’ve heard enough, my sympathy’s spent
Empathy only goes so far if you refuse to relent

But I’ll always be here ready to fight,
Pull you from the dark and into the light.