The Prisoner Within

♫ Yesterday – Music for the Soul ♫

A song plays softly in the background.

‘Yesterday” is the tune but I know not who sings it.

It doesn’t matter.

~

In the dimly-lit room,

I see you sitting on the couch,

your face wet with tears.

~

How long have you been there,

with your thoughts?

Your body held

by invisible shackles?

~

You look up and smile apologetically

and my heart breaks for you.

~

Oh, my beautiful friend,

you have nothing to be ashamed of.

For it is not the outer person I see;

only the brave man trapped inside.

~

If asked, could you tell me what burdens you?

Or is the sadness so deep

you feel the answer inaccessible?

~

Who do you weep for, my friend?

Is it for the man lost?

or the boy struggling for acceptance?

~

I remember a day at the beach,

soon after I met you and before I knew your story.

We walked and talked;

talked and talked the full length of the sand

to rocks at the far end.

~

At the very edge of the rocks

you stood in the spray of the crashing waves,

the breeze whipping around us

and you laughed out loud;

a shout of pure joy.

~

You threw your arms wide,

challenged the ocean and the swell,

leaning forward on that uneven rock,

defying gravity,

laughing all the while.

~

In that moment, I saw your spirit soar free,

and glimpsed you, the boy within,

and fell in love.

§

©cjaudas 2009

The Journey….