Written 18 March 2026 for 1453 Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand
a fire ignites within the soul a heat mounts in the inner self I stand before the blinding light wrestling with wry dim dreary darkness with doubt that chills the bones and heart tearing fragile worlds asunder laying bare the frame of my mind battling with itself in disbelief the bodily frame softens with the flame all dross exposed, brittle parts revealed with words whispering the bitter truth a fractured part finally healed in a strange silent subtle forge where doubt is hammered into belief with the pressure, purpose preparing to surge a tempered core that offers sweet respite I look back at shadows I`ve fled the moments when I strolled at ease finding the hard ground where truth lies Is where the deepest inner spirit sits with the crucible refining the clay until the form is strong enough to hold the light that breaks upon the coming dawn more precious than the finest minted gem now new seams of strength start to gather reflected in the glow of my eyes yielding soft, the grip held so fast with shadows slowly shrivelling to let divine grace to seep to the soul the testing ground for faith to bloom while he crucible of faith remains dispelling the darkness of doubt.
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