closed eyes


raw
silence.


listening to wails
within. burdened
load,
identity queries


weigh upon
crushed back -


like sacks of heavy rocks.


each pound representing
foreign parts of me.


fragmented splinters

stand apart

from whole.


like white blankets
piled up,


black chalkboard

paved clear,


heaviness is lifted.


inhaling hesitantly
redemptive breaths


exhaling slowly wanting
to hold on.


responding willingly,


these cries show me what I am.


black piece of coal


among polished
diamonds -


you can actually see me


from within
to my surface.


unrefined,
unpolished


am I. am I. am I.