I am on the outside looking in.

A swirling glow is sinking into the hole.

Everything is quiet around me. So quiet, it’s loud.

The hum of silence is deafening.

I keep throwing things into the hole; shiny things…

Hoping the glow will wash back on me and quell the pain.

It burns. It’s worse.

I can’t find words… or the next step.

The path is fogged over.

I’ve put down my love glasses.

The rosy hue is gone.

The lenses have been painted over… blue, green, and gray.

You can’t take from me the things I have left.

The things I used to share freely.

They will be saved for another day.

Kindling for another fire.

I’ll water dirt until something grows.

Expectantly, breathlessly, I’ll wait.

It’s late, but I haven’t lost hope.

It’s buried, but it’s still there.

The sharp words and thoughts carry me away.

I don’t have any fight left in me.

I’ll have to travel through some rough waters to get to where I’m going.

I’ll rest.

I can do this. I’ve done it before.

I’m stronger now.

I can take care of myself.

I’m not afraid.

The black cloud conversations will dissipate.

The ghosts will fly away.

I’ll catch a spark to call my own.

I’ll rise up, a huge fire burning a new path.

This is how it was always supposed to be.

I was meant for more.

Compliance be damned!

I’m free to be me.

I’m walking away from the pot that’s still burning.

I don’t need it anymore.

The fire inside will keep me warm

Until I find a clearing where I can build another one.