Hester Prynne

A symbol of shame and disgrace,
A brand on my chest proclaiming to the world that I am
A deviant,
A transgressor,
A threat,
Unworthy of human sympathy.
My lot only contempt, spitting, laughter, or worse:
To be ignored.
A shadow, I scarcely exist,
Dead to the world, expendable,
My life forfeit.

Why then, does my mark of shame
Shame you?
Why does the brand in my flesh
Burn in your soul?
My shaming binds us my brother, my sister.
You are in me and I in you.
In my death, part of you dies.
I am your sin in the flesh,
I am the atonement for transgression,
The chastisement for our iniquity falls on me,
And in my fiery mirror you see yourself.

At what cost, then, is mercy?

-Eric