Expression

For days weeks nights and years I sat with this angry and sad fire

It wouldn’t take no for answer

It had me convinced that I was wrong

Convinced that I should respond

Fear, guilt, shame, nothing out of bounds

Items, topics, desires, some which I can’t claim mine

So much rage, guilt, sadness

Each day, a new battle

Each day another attempt to erode my humanity, and send me back into drudgery

This old quaking body once had me convinced

As if it were my own

From enslavement and back again

Freedom is my calling

Love the constant

Listening to the signal

Only a few embers remain in that old dying fire

And I’ve built my own, so much better.

So drawn in

I’ll always stay warm now