…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