Gratitude.

In time, they said, all wounds would be healed.

Longstanding hurt and unsettled regret,
Overbearing sadness; I just wanted to forget.
Viscious circles of guilt and shame,
Emotions of fear and worry and blame.

Just when the heart believed it could take no more,
One who loved me lots was there to reassure.
Someone so sweet, so loving, so kind,
Evoked compassion and changed my mind.
Pieces assembled as back to beginning,
Hopeless though I once felt, my heart's back to grinning.