My Book

In my beginning

I sensed my shadow,

but refused to know it

An onionskin tome,

latched and locked

between hardened covers

Always looking away,

I was convinced:

It was too big

It was too heavy

It was not mine

It was a secret

Like a spectre –it loomed

and other shadows

drew upon it –took of it,

marked and tore its pages

In truth, I failed to defend

this misread book

As its edges grew ragged

and creases pierced me,

I wanted –needed

to unlock those stories

Introduce myself

Unfold my life

I heaved its cover,

let go of difficult words,

embraced each page,

smoothed careless dog-ears,

patched abusive tears,

and learned its purpose

-to serve, to love

Now I see it,

I am convinced:

It is big

I can carry it

It is mine

It is to be shared

Many chapters later,

I am peace-in-progress

I now walk with my shadow

Unfolding new stories

This is me –my life

My book to love

My book of love

Written for Every Day Poems Friday Poetry Prompt "Unfold My Life" via 

https://www.facebook.com/everydaypoems and http://wordcandy.me/wcandy/ship/1364521281u1w1298r_274/