Punishment

My enemy is captured,
tied to a pole, stripped, his back faces me.
I take pleasure in this,
gloating in celebration.
"You wronged me!"
"You deserve this!"
"Not so proud are you,
now that you can't hurt me!"

"Ten lashes across his back!" I yell.
The guard cracks the whip,
leaving bloody scars on the flesh.
His marks bring me vindication,
each slash, I'm justified.
After he's done, the guard asks if that's enough.
"No, ten more! Make him pay!
Revenge is finally mine!"

After the final crack, I hear his voice.
"How you judge him, you shall be judged."
Angry, I turn to look at this man
My Lord, what have I done?
"Forgive," He says "and you shall be forgiven."
I wake up from the nightmare, crying,
and pray for God's healing grace.
May it flow mercy into my heart.