November 16, 2023

Walls

The walls I have built up for so long

the ones that protected me from the war

from the constant gunfire 

that I have worked so hard to build stronger

they’re starting to come down.

Cracks have formed and pebbles are falling out

I wince, waiting for the violence to resume

as it was when the wall was weaker

but nothing is heard.

It is quiet.

I peer through the tiny holes forming from the cracks

and I see light.

Not the light of machines but of the sun.

I take a bigger piece out of the wall and 

reach my arm through.

It’s warm, the sun

my skin absorbs the rays that 

have not been felt in far too long

I didn’t know light existed on the other side of this wall

I have only ever seen darkness

but this light is pure and new

it is rejuvenating

it is healing.