"Body," I say addressing my left knee (after all this time I still cannot look myself straight in the eyes) "our relationship has been one full of betrayals, but the time for forgiveness has come. We have failed each other completely; when you wanted me I was not there, my mind and soul left you in your time of need. Later, when I needed you, you were gone, empty, numb. I had abandoned you, shut you out, called you traitor, betrayer, slut, bitch, whore, all those things we say to enforce the status quo. But I was surprised, Body, to find you weren’t there for me, to find you looking back defiantly, eyes full of tears." "Fuck you," you said, "What have you, your mind and soul, ever done for me? You did nothing to keep their hands off me, to protect me from their eyes, their insults, their pawing and fondling. You cursed me when I was ill or in pain, I was an inconvenience to you, an embarrassment to be hidden. Why should I come now to your beck and call? I am content in my numbness,  in my separation from soul and mind. In fact, I am so content, you said, that perhaps I want a divorce. I don’t need your abuse, your constant take without give with no respect, no love." You shook with sobs asking, "Why do you want me now, after all this time? You’ve always hated me, can’t you just leave me alone?" "I’ve come to make amends body, to offer myself, heart, soul, mind, and beg your forgiveness. I was weak and scared when the world betrayed you. I didn’t know how to fight back so I left you to fight those battles on your own. Body, please forgive me. I want you back. I want to learn to love you again, to marry you back to my spirit. I want to be in for the long haul this time. Please don’t leave, don’t leave me a numb, empty, shell. Body, I need you, and I’m sorry." I say as I hug myself and cry.