It weighs down in my chest
behind my ribs and next to my heart
I visualize it, a black chest
sinister, foreboding and mine

For years I carried it
letting it darken my view of the world
slowly and subtly bending my spine
shaping my world with ugly hands
turning myself inwards

It tried to break me
but my fragility is deceptive
& my strength is hidden

But it’s there, sleeping

I opened the black chest only once
and my soul became infinitely lighter