…wide open

My dauntless heart
knew no fear
I stood against
the tides of doubt
as the shadows sought
to own my soul
their whispers
enticing in the dark

but my heart
would never falter
even in storms
my inner light was bright
I thought
the flames of love
could not be extinguished

even in the path
of a ruthless wind
I would bend
but never broke
I carried my scars
wore them like crowns
even when I journeyed
over roads of stone
when every step was pain
I would do it again

my wounds and scars
mere milestones
markers of my journey
a part of me
that cannot be erased
promises made
that could never be broken
kept in the dark corners
of my heart
that so very long ago
was broken wide open

now clouds drift
and cover the moon                            
mists wind like rivers
through the trees               
a nightingale sings
a mournful tune                       
there is the taste of salt
upon the breeze
petals, velvet and dripping
are carelessly strewn

the be-darkened night
does not heed my pleas      
the end is nigh
too soon, too soon                        
the trees, now empty
and broken, like me
© Ann Bagnall