When love,
open-eyed
and uplifting
appeared
she shuddered,
withdrew,
Shame’s shadow
casting putrid
projections
fear and uncertainty
cloaked her, masked
desire as repulsion –
wore her tragedy
as identity – could not
make the leap –
would choose, instead,
a legacy of abuse –
reaffirming the guilt
and self-loathing
Never could forget
the time that love
showed up –
opened-eyed
and uplifting.
(VJ’s weekly Challenge is shadows)
One Woman's Quest 