I bled and bowed to the invisible thieves hiding in the shadows.
I weaved a million thoughts into wings.
But as I neared the light, my safety failed me. I faded.
Once, I was a fighting lioness, covered in battle wounds.
Now I am what the past spit out, with too much rain behind my eyes.
If I were who I was, I would have never met me in your eyes.
I don’t look behind. I carry you under my skin.
A tattoo on my chest reminding me that it is time to breathe.
I am drowning to swim. I am buried to grow.
Slowly, I am uncovering the lies in my head.
Cravings are turning me from black into grey.
Where else should I run? Out of breath, out of reasons to stay alive.
But somewhere deep inside, I know the inescapable truth.
And as I am trying to catch my breath, my wounds stop bleeding, my head straightens.
Empty. There is nothing left to give to anyone else. I need to feed myself first.