Every rose
has a struggle
We tend
our roots
and nourish
our ground
To bloom and thrive
means taking a chance
It means surviving
the storm
To beat the odds
we must grow
our own thorns
Copyright (C) 2022 Penny WilsonTag: struggle
Dragons in the Dark
My dragons burrow deep and sleep the sleep of the evil. They lie in wait. They make sure I have my defenses down; that I am once again comfortable in my own skin.
My peripheral vision sees the shadow of these beasts occasionally as they melt into the background. I try as I might to catch them before they are loose, but they are too clever.
These dragons will creep into my room and sit at the foot of my bed, watching as I slumber. I have fooled them only once; feigning sleep as their foul breath assaults my senses. The stench of their evil is almost overwhelming.
I have awakened on many moonless nights, sure I would see them. My heart is in my throat as I sweep the room. I must be sure to catch them if they linger. All that lingers is the cold sweat that penetrates my gown and their stench. Sleep will elude me this night, for the dragons have already started their assault.
With the dawn, I greet the day with trepidation. How will the dragons manifest this time? Will I find myself once again in the dark? Will I be alone with my dragons, with nothing more than hope to see my way back into the light?
As I lock the front door and walk down the street, I can feel the dragons’ breath on my neck….
Amazing image found on Google Images. Credit to the wonderful artist that created it.
Copyright (C) 2014 Penny Wilson All Rights Reserved
*This piece was written about my struggle over the years with Depression. I’m in a good place these days, thank God. But my mind has been on the ongoing struggle that many have with Mental Illness. The Struggle IS Real. For Help and articles that I’ve compiled and written on the subject, please visit my Mental Health Help Page HERE.
Please also see my recent post, asking for your help with much needed resources, HERE. Thank you for joining me on this journey. ❤
The Crooked Path
I've knocked my head against the wall until I bleed. This is what it took to get my attention. I seemed to take the hard way, the road less traveled. I've started my life over again many, many times. Started from scratch. From nothing. Each time a little further along this Crooked Path. I began as a lump of clay, cast into the mud along with the rest of the muck. I managed to crawl upon the shore and bake myself in the sun until I was cracked and bleeding. This is a process I repeated over and over again. I would then retreat back into the muck seeking the cool mud to soothe, only to realize that I must push myself up and out. At last, finding myself on the path, head up, shoulders back, I trudged forward tentatively, turning left when I should have turned right. Backing up and taking a different turn at times, but always the way that I wanted. Not what was best. But what I wanted. I knew that the outcome would be the same. Finally, one day as I was sitting in the mud once again, I bowed my head. I had prayed many times, but not like this. I prayed, not to be lead to the right path. Not to be helped from the mud. I prayed instead to see; see the hand that had always been there. The arms that had always welcomed me. I prayed for faith. Copyright (C) 2020 Penny Wilson My path to God has been a very long one. I came to Him late in life. This is my expression of that journey. I still struggle, but my prayers have been answered tenfold. A very special Thank You to Chuck, at The Reluctant Poet. He gave me the line, 'The Crooked Path' that inspired this piece. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny <3
Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger from Pexels
Dragons in the Dark
My dragons burrow deep and sleep the sleep of the evil. They lie in wait. They make sure I have my defenses down; that I am once again comfortable in my own skin.
My peripheral vision sees the shadow of these beasts occasionally as they melt into the background. I try as I might to catch them before they are loose, but they are too clever.
These dragons will creep into my room and sit at the foot of my bed, watching as I slumber. I have fooled them only once; feigning sleep as their fowl breath assaults my senses. The stench of their evil is almost overwhelming.
I have awakened on many moonless nights, sure I would see them. My heart is in my throat as I sweep the room. I must be sure to catch them if they linger. All that lingers is the cold sweat that penetrates my gown and their stench.
My hands shake as I toss my gown to the floor. Sliding back into bed, I stare at the ceiling. Sleep will elude me this night, for the dragons have already started their assault.
With the dawn, I greet the day with trepidation. How will the dragons manifest this time? Will I find myself once again in the dark? Alone with my dragons, with nothing more than hope to see me way back into the light.
As I lock the front door and walk down the street, I can feel the dragons’ breath on my neck….
Amazing image found on Google Images. Credit to the wonderful artist that created it.
(C) 2014 Penny Wilson
Penny Wilson Writes 