Mercy is an option- br unredeeming in br my attire of pain. br br Lashed by bitter br storms of accusations br my honesty is br poor protection. br br My armour br I thought- br never knowing br it would show br my Achilles Heel. br br Opening myself br in all my br rawness- br in all my br lack of beauty- br in all that br I have ever been- br br My honesty br is my undoing. br (Hasn't it always been?) br br Mercy is an option. br Not one I'd choose br though. br br I'll wait. br And Hope. br br Because I know br it's my honesty br that will stand br guard- br br When the demons br of doubt br are vanquished. br br As they must be. br As they will be. br br For, br Though pain be its gift, br Love never fails.