Stepping Out

 

From

Patient waiting

To

Unconsciousness

To

Slipping and sliding in and out of awareness,

Into relief and despair

To

Existing with thought numbing pain

A pain which draws the mind

In on itself, in self-pity and hopelessness,

Banishing the warmth of creative thought,

Of hopeful ideas, dreams and images

While

The butcher’s healing cut,

Invasive plucking,

Selective drawing,

Invades the integrity of my being.

Then begins the slow toil of recovery,

The growing awareness of life’s breath,

Of hopes victory over despair,

Of faltering footsteps,

Bright eyed attention and thankfulness

Which begets healing.

 

There still lies the long road to somewhere

Not yet signposted,

Not quite where I stood before.