Trust

Can I trust you?
I don't know you,
But you're credentialed for trust.
By that I mean, You can trust me
is the promise written in
the letters the state of Pennsylvania
let you tack onto your name.

But can I trust you
with the most awful parts of me?
The sad, bad, shameful parts,
the used-to-be me parts I keep
tucked away like pus-filled abscesses
in the darkest corner of my soul?

Will you listen to my story, 
one of twists and turns and
deep, dark pits?
Do you have the patience?
The compassion?
The wisdom to understand
what I still can't understand myself?

Can you forgive me?
Can you show me how
to forgive myself?