i am : she

today i am:

in a field alone, hearing a voice calling from the trees
looking back over my shoulder, remembering
tilting my head for the echo of love
holding a spark

today she is:

pressed but not crushed
forgotten but not abandoned
with a hope and a future
beautiful

last night i was embraced by someone i never thought i would talk to again, much less wrap my arms around. i held out my hand, but he held out his arms --- and i walked into them. the past enveloped me, but instead of being bitter it was kind. i felt his shirt against my chin, my hand against his shoulder blade. collarbone to collarbone, mouth to ear, we said "peace," and i can't even begin to tell you how many things were mended in me in that moment.

5 years. who knew.
and so i think, there is always hope.

today it is:

sharp and stabbing, throbbing and dull
packed in a box in the corner
apprehensive and scared
standing . . . shakily, but standing
willfully engaged with heart, soul, mind
enough.

photo by
laurence