all these years later
she can’t help but notice
those moments when
she is still ready to run
ready to flee at a moment’s notice
ready to hide
to shrink into invisibility
ready to cower placate apologize submit
to be silent
ready to protect defend shield
guarded always
as the shadows continue to ricochet through her life
and yet somehow
the one who wrought those sad reflexes
must carry even more damage and suffering
worse
whether consciously or not
must live with the knowledge of what they did
and the legacy that lives from it
on so many levels
why do so many seem to spend
years and years of their lives in healing
and others spend those years
simply refusing to see
their own desperate need to heal?
###
Note: In writing the above, I couldn’t help but recall this one I wrote some years ago here.
earth sky air 
This is so profound and deep. I find this part equally true yet tragic in a way:
“why do so many seem to spend
years and years of their lives in healing
and others spend those years
simply refusing to see
their own desperate need to heal?”
It’s sad because many people do spend their entire lives that way, needing to heal but refusing to see that. Beautifully and poignantly penned!
It really is sad stuff, so needless. Thank you for your thoughtful reading and comments! 🌷
Pingback: ready | Mystical Strings