Shadow · Benjamin Moore 2117-30

She stood there, staring

At the bitter rope she

Clutched with both her

Hands.

She kept telling herself

It was going to be fine

She shunned when she

Should have shone.

But in her mind

She was only a

Shadow.

The red light indicates

She must start talking

To the video camera.

She starts by apologizing;

Saying sorry to everyone

She can think of.

“I’m sorry Dad, I didn’t

meet your expectations”

A heavy tear rolls down

Her cheek

And she sobs.

“I’m sorry Mom, I’m not

strong enough”

And she sobs.

To the girls with short skirts

Tight shirts and

Push up bras

She apologized

For not being

Pretty enough

For them.

To her only friend

She apologized

For never speaking up

For following the rest

For changing

Her essence.

To her math teacher

She apologized

For not understanding

And lowering her grade

For being distracted

For over thinking

Her own death

She apologized to

Everyone

And

Everyone

Forgave her

Except for one person

Herself.

The rope was hanging

From the ceiling

Waiting

Calling her

Luring her in.

No more pain

No more sleepless nights

No more pressure

No more shame

It said.

She wondered

What’s beyond

The sky?

Will she see the

Light

When she’s in

The shadows?

The red light

Was turned off

And she knew

It was the time

To be free.

She looked up and called His name

Once.

And she flew

Far away

Away from the darkness

From the shadows