....and the time has come
    to pause, to be silent
    to be still, to reflect
   to piece together
    the parts that have been broken-

    the stepping aside
   myself to examine
   to revisit every past scene
  none of which can be forgotten

for memory is just
too persistent
too stubborn
and makes unwarranted demands
on the vulnerable person

but I'll step into myself
to stand on alone
and claim
what's that I own-
my dignity
my freedom
my will-to-be
that can never
be taken
away
or ever stolen