Presence No Longer Required

Walking

Searching

Lost within

The fog increasing

Stumbling along

Hands stretched out

Blinded

Fear

Revulsion

Shame

Words shouted

Inflicted

Searing past visible skin

Marking the soul beneath

Pressing

Ripping

Worming through

Wrapping around

Twining through

Bones

Insidious vine weeds

Trapping

Holding in place

A warped inner view.

Scythe in hand

Vicious slices

Wrenching

Tearing up the vile

Removing the nasty

Each vine struggling to hold on

As this Gardner

Plunders the vines of hell

The voices of the past

Silenced

Forever more.

No longer hating self

No longer repulsed

Standing free

New growth blooming

Flowers spreading

Life

Once more my own

No longer a part of your shit show.

©Sept. 18/22