Shadows

It’s always been there
Lurking behind me
Watching

Sometimes, I didn’t notice
Or chose to deny it
Ignore It

I’d avoid watching
As it creeped its way closer
Siphoning me

I tried to flee
Look straight ahead
To escape

But it always found me
When I thought I was free
It came

Like it waited for its moment
In silent observation
It pounced

Dragging me deeper
Stealing my voice
Drowning me

This cycle continued
I stayed silent
Afraid

For if I called out
It would find me
Devour me

I stayed hidden
Locked away from all
Invisible

I grew weary of its presence
Weighing me down
Trapping me

I became thin
In mind, and spirit
Meager

Then someone came along
And said it was me
The shadow

I was running for so long
Silently avoiding it
Practicing Grace

But I was mistaken
Misguided and Naïve
Optimistic

Thinking others were gentle
Kindhearted, and understanding
Genuine

How foolish I was
To let it follow silently
Lingering

I pointed and yelled
“It’s here, it always has been”
Following me

“Look at it” I cried
Hear me as I shout
See Me

Silly of me to think
Others would see
Understand

That shadow wasn’t me
It was my burden
My sorrow

Buried behind polite smiles
Quiet Submissions
Complacency

I craved softness
I needed love
Compassion

I gave it a name
I shined a light on it
Fiercely

I was vulnerable
Unfiltered and raw
Exposed

I became free
No longer haunted
or Chased

I demanded attention
From the oblivious
The blind

They peered in with glasses
Deciding they knew
Judging it

I realized then, I could scream
I could shout to the rooftops
Unheard

They never wanted to know
The reality of it all
The horror

Though the greatest gift I received
From the chaos of my own fire
Was freedom

Authentic and honest I became
Spilling my heart out
Becoming Unburdened

-K.M.