A dimming of the light
When eyes are streaked red
From staring too long at garish truths,
A light touch of hand on shoulder
When a hug would be too much
For a body that feels suddenly frail,
A soft, comforting word
When heart and mind are fit to burst
With the "shoulds" of everyone else,
And a reassuring "will"
When the soul threatens to shatter
Just to extricate the "should have"s.
The glare of what was and what isn't
Scorches me with it's unyielding reflection,
But I can close my eyes and rest a while,
Lying down at last after such a long time,
Blanketed in this comfortable shadow.

©1998 Gail Von Schlichting


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