The pale thing was sunning herself on a rock

Blinking slowly into the light

She had crept out of her home for just an hour

And she was excited but scared that someone might come across her

Today she decided she would not spend the day in the quiet, damp, dark

She covered the surface of herself with sun protection

She didn't want to get burnt

She must be cautious

Not after so long in safety-dark, the sun felt very strange

And she wondered who would come across her

And she felt something stirring inside her chest

What could it be? It wasn't dark and heavy and familiar

Maybe this was happy?

Maybe this was hope?

Maybe this was something really good

And she felt the familiar experience fade away

The sunlight began to screen it out

And bleach the pain

And to purify her wounds, exposed

And someone asked her, can I join you in the sun?