Layers…
I am covered in layers
Layers put on years
and years
first by them
then by me
Layers…

Layers
reinforced with pain
squeezed tight…
They pulled
I tried to push
I admit
I almost gave up
once

Then one day
from under all those
layers
somehow
I took a deep breath
a layer fell away…
and it felt strangely…
good
I wanted to do it
again
It was so hard
but
I did it again…
and another layer fell away…

Now with each layer off
there’s a deeper breath
and
discovery
of who I am…
and loving me.

Copyright Catherine Anne Hayes © 2008