Once upon a time
Well, not really so long ago,
There was a woman I once knew
Who was fragile like a doe.
She would run at full speed
At the glimpse of a stranger,
Shiver, shake, freeze
At any potential danger.
Her mind grew foggy
At the sound of certain voices,
Legs gave out
When given too many choices
Like the stress was a burden
She could no longer hold,
Heavy was the story
That she left untold.
After years engulfed in misery
As she waded through life in a haze,
She built up the courage
To change her fragmented gaze
From that of a frail subdued dog
Beaten into submission,
To that of a lion
With fury and passion, she’s driven
To conquer the illness
She gained through misuse,
Defeat all the villains
Chiseled into memory through abuse.
Day by day she slowly recovers
As the load she bears is lightened,
Her head held higher upon proud shoulders
She is no longer frightened
No longer crippled, timid, or shy
Her mind is crystal clear
When I look into the mirror
She no longer resembles the fragile deer.