“She’s Feeling Lighter Now” original painting

Description

I envisioned a good life,

Supposed for a moment
I deserved it.

As if it were a passcode, Love showed up.
She pointed to the cloak slung over my shoulders—
500 pounds of shame.

“The vision is real,” she said.
“The shame is not.”

My eyes slowly adjusted.

She led me to
Safe hearts, a forest,
Autobiographies,
Morning tide,
Telling stories and holding mine,
500 pounds crumbling piece by piece
Behind us
As we go, and go, and
Still go on.

The vision, you ask?
A woman, dancing,
No cloak in sight.

-Ally Bartoszewicz, “She’s Feeling Lighter Now”