- the cabin -

tonight i looked back and saw
the cabin tucked away
in the forest of my mind's thoughts.

i could feel the pain pouring down upon me
like a tropical storm
that had raised it's ugly threat
to wipe out the peaceful existence
that protects the gardens of my mind.

i closed my eyes
and tried to blow out
the candle of hope that i had held so long
as i prayed in my silent vigil
to find the courage just to live.

my heart was so blind that i could not see
and my ears deaf to silent pleas
that came from within the walls
i had built from fear and pain.

some part of me reached out to open the door
and i felt the sting of the salt in old wounds
as i snapped my hand back
and took with me my mind.. and my heart.

i turned and stepped over the debris
from the walls i had torn down
and went to the broken path
of courage that lead to the road of freedom
not looking back until
the storm had passed
and the cabin was tucked away
in the forest of my mind's thoughts.

and as the sun shone down upon me
my hand clenched the key around my neck
that still leads my mind
off the broken path
and i close my eyes and tell myself
that the next time...
i will lock the door and throw away the key.