Laying Down

 

Sometimes when I stop to take a breath,

I'm overawed by how alive life is.

How eager, how fervent, 

How like a flame in the forest.

 

Restless,

Relentless,

Ruthless.

 

I look in the mirror and suck in a breath.

I see someone else - someone still young,

Her hair still dark and long, her teeth all in a line.

But me - I have an overwhelming longing to rest.

 

To rest,

Retreat,

Retire.

 

A need to reminisce,

To piece together my pieces,

To patch up the parts of my past,

Make a story and lay it to rest.

 

No more present,

past,

or prospects.

 

Only Peace.