From the Deep

I went to see for I had traveled deep

Inside myself my hurting self to keep

Wrapped up alone and cold and seeing there

Through telescope that reached to eyes and air.

I read just fine I walked and did not fall

What once had loomed and screamed grew quiet and small

I heard my words and saw them nod and smile.

Sufficient, I could rest inside awhile.

So weeping cries, they settled to an ache.

No longer did I fear that I would break

The tender me curled up and lay quite still

NohurtNotearsNorushNoloveNothrill.

I went to see for I had traveled deep

Inside myself my hurting self to keep

And took note that the thickness of her skin

Kept scary clutching claws from getting in.

But noticed too, the sunsets ceased to gleam

The moon fell flat without her reaching beam

Dogs licked. Annoyed, she pushed them out of sight

Friends called. I could not laugh. I said goodnight.

I saw the balance weighed and knew my choice

Climbed back inside despite a windy voice

And curled up watching life from far a deep

With one great tremor laid Myself to sleep.

Asleep I lay and numb contented I

had no intent of waking death to die.

But scent of safety woke me from the gray

And out I looked to softish warming day.

Awake! already asking, was there fear?

I found only a longing for the sky.

Lured I reached myself into my skin

Longing to Taste and See and know again.

Without hoorah without ceremony

As if helped by a power outside of me

One step one look one stanza at a time

Slow and steadily I made the climb.