Denial vs Healing

Entry for contrast poetry contest. Hilo Poet To keep the denial alive, meant not sitting still Filling days with work and fun, escapes of all kinds at will These days seemed fine, my face showed off smiles No-one could see inside, no-one could know anything is wrong I raced around all kinds of places, met people, socializing beyond limits Some memories are valued, all spontaneous and free Some things in those wild, younger years, defined me This was until life took a sudden shocking turn as if lightening hit The curtain of denial fell the first day of a new year Days turned dark and nights were even more treacherous Waves of truth were overcoming me, like I was being swallowed I had to shift my focus completely to a mode of survival It was time to speak all denied, emerging like a butterfly from cocoon The movement of me changed to more challenging work instead of play Creative projects still came to my rescue, with a piano and pen In this transition, my purpose became clear, like seeing Northern Lights Everything I did from that day forward is built upon this I have been building a castle based upon everything that I believe There is no turning back, only turning new pages of my life Now, I live the moment authentically, with determination I look back at this contrast, that very well may have saved my life I have been granted more time as courage builds within I am not afraid to look in the mirror or face what defines me now I would only be afraid to return to the time I spent days, running from myself I guess at the time, I thought I could, as the mind plays tricks Thankfully now, I have faith to get through new storms that brew I understand everything in the castle I build with all that is new Heidi Sands Denial vs. Healing 6/26/24 Placed 5th in Premiere Contest