To those no longer present

(Kaddish)

Shake the dirt from your shoes
And I will do the same

You who pledged to make this journey with me
Who said forever, and meant for a time
Who swore honesty and loyalty

Who did not stand by me as I stood by you 
Who faulted me for keeping my word
Who blamed me for expecting from you the best

Who talked instead of being 
Who fought instead of talking
Who walked away instead of staying and fighting

Shake the dirt from your shoes

Whose word I trusted
Whose direction I followed
Whose lies I believed

Whose actions I defended
Whose vanity I succored
Whose heart I had faith in

Whose abuse I took to heart
Whose love I did not question
Into whose hands I commended myself

Shake the dirt from your shoes

Who saw me as naïve
Who saw me as credulous
Who saw me as convenient

Who used my love for fuel
Who used my love for leverage
Who used my love as a weapon

Who have deprived me of security
Who have damaged my trust
Who have poisoned my sleep

Shake the dirt from your shoes
And I will do the same

You will not prevail
I will trust
I will rejoice

You will not prevail
I will love
I will rejoice

You must know
You are not pardoned
You are not forgiven.