I sit shivering in the dark

Eyes closed and all of my being

Filled with fear that I will

lose my most valued possession.

Flame and heat surround

yet the air is dense with

energy that moves like

cold steel wielded by a

forceful hand.

What I cling to so fiercely

I have long ago outgrown

But the comfort and safety

provided are like soothing

ointment on wounds that have

yet to be opened.

I want to be free of these chains.

I want to be whole.

What I carry are bits and pieces

of my own folly and the thought of

excision sends me into retreat.

As reason gives way to desire

and understanding stands at the

threshold with outstretched hand

I rise from this place of cowering.

I open my eyes to see what lay

ahead and a cold dark hand

grasps my own as I look into

the eyes of myself.

The only demons I had to fear is what

lay within the spectre of my shadow.

With the single act of embrace

all that is to be discarded

falls from me.

I am free. I am strong and

what I had feared losing the most

has only been transformed and

forged anew.

The dark gives way to light and

I step forward to greet the

final outcome.

-R.Fennelly-