Smoke and Ash

Smoke and Ash

I’ve been dragging these memories around long
enough. The endlessness of the hurt and pain,
lingers. It weighs heavy on my mind like, a stone
around my neck. Forgiving is hard, forgetting
even harder. To live in peace, free of the past, is all
I ask. I hesitate at the door to the future.
Holding onto those bittersweet memories.
Guns of the past, blowing holes in my dreams.
The enemy always moving closer, fighting
for my freedom, long and hard. My army is
stronger the fight to survive is greater. The fire
has burned its last flame. All is not forgiven, all is
not forgotten. But this damaged, broken, burnt
woman, will rise again from the smoke and ash.
Stronger, taller, smarter, than before.



MRW10/08/2008