Restored

I was once a shadow
In the past-

Long ago-

My reflection of
Glass
Shattered-

Empty shards of
Shadow
In darkness
I remained.

Crying silent-

Lost.

Alone.

One day I found a candle
In crumbled corner-
The flame so small,
Flickered.
With one touch
Extinguishing forever.

Lost in black oblivion.

I held my breath,
So afraid to move.

A spirit came.
He said,
"Pick up the flame!
Throw it into the
Painted black!
Bring our light back!"

I was afraid.
I didn't want the light
To go out.
I stood for a while in
the shattered, darkened
silence of my cell.

I made a choice.

I threw the flame into
the window
Black-
A beam of light so very
small pierced through.

My light was back!

The spirit came,
took my hand,
walked with me
Toward my mirror of
shattered reflection
and even while the shards
cut deep his hands-
Bleeding, he put them back
where they belong.

I stood helpless watching-
So long.
He said,
"Help me child."
So I did.
So I am.

Every piece our bleeding
Hands replace
Restores my soul.
Makes our light shine all
the brighter.

Sometimes,
I tire,
I ache,
I cry,
I discourage.
Sometimes my sight fails
and I'm afraid.
Until he whispers,
"I am here. You are okay."

The walls are crumbling.
through dead ruins old-
Man made.
Life of green surrounds
In comfort.
Light embraces, all
Encompassing.
Chasing shadows,
Reducing shade.

The spirit is always there.
Whenever I need him.
When he needs me.

My shattered reflection
No longer-
Is restored.
Cracked here and there.
I can't see yet.
What I will be.
He says,
Soon enough I will be-

Free.