i woke up to the sheer curtains
glancing at my shoulders and feet
and the absence of the tears
trickling down my dry cheeks
i found myself gazing at the traveling clouds
instead of chasing the shadow of the moon

i started breathing again

the corners of the bedroom
of where i lay and stood
felt clustered for far too long
i realized that all i had to do
was unlock the door and i would be through
into the hallway and out the front porch
i'll stare at the beaming sun
and have patience shower me
with all that is good

i am alive and worth more
than any of the words that they spoke

n.j.