The Phoenix

I have been here,

Down this road so many times,

Stopping.

Turning.

Waiting.

Through the fog I cannot see your face,

Though I know you are there.

Somewhere.

I wore my heart on my sleeve for you,

Gave you all I had,

Everything.

It was never enough though,

So I continue down the road,

Alone.

Singular.

Solitary.

I am accustomed to the dark,

Wandering aimlessly,

Blind.

My heart is no longer on my sleeve,

I keep it hidden,

Away.

I am opaque to the eyes on me,

No longer transparent.

Solid.

Once an open book,

I am now like a child's diary,

Closed.

Secret.

Locked.

Along the road came another,

To walk beside me for a time,

Together.

I question how long he will stay,

With my heart locked off,

Imprisoned.

It fights weakly to be released,

To go back to the perch on my sleeve,

Open.

Free.

Unprotected.

I cannot allow its freedom,

For the fear of pain is too great,

Rejection.

This is not who I am,

This is not who I am meant to be,

Stranger.

This is my transformation,

Me rising from the ashes,

Strong.

I am the phoenix,

And I will rise again.

Anew.

Restored.

Glorious.