The Cave

deaf and chained 

we were created to see 

shifting shadows

with our backs turned

from the light shining 

from the mouth of the cave 

and there I sat

staring at my shadow

in ignorant bliss

not knowing

what I didn’t know

until I heard

the waves crashing outside

and knew

there was more

to this world

turning away from the outline

of the man I thought I was

and wanted to be

I shifted my gaze

away from the darkness

and saw the light

that had always been 

behind me

shining in from the mouth

of this dark crevice

like an angel

showing me the way

to the promised land

how each step I took

I could feel my old life

trying to pull me back

shackles tugging me

back into the darkness

cutting my ankles

and making each step

more painful

than the last

feeling my weak legs

buckling underneath me

untrained to do anything

but sit

and suffer

having climbed out of

the mouth of the cave

I stared at the ocean

with nothing 

of my old self

and simply watched 

the waves

for only once 

I had lost everything

feet stained in blood

legs reborn

soul awaken

did I finally learn

what was actually 

important to me:

the angel’s light

and the stunning world 

it illuminated

so vast

so beautiful

so much more

I needed to see