Finally

I can feel you getting closer.

You have always been there.

You have watched me please and appease and remain silent and be silenced.

You have seen me remove one mask, to then replace it with another.

You have seen me search in all the wrong places.

As you get nearer it becomes harder.

Wading though years of anger and pain and loss and fear.

So much fear.

Sometimes I want to run, to ignore you, to push you down further.

But I can feel you growing impatient.

You no longer want to be buried, to be contained, to be small.

You are rising up, and you are ready to burst through my chest.

Yes, I can feel you getting closer.

I stand before the mirror, and as I exhale, with a roar, you are here. “Finally” we both say with a smile.