© JP Asher 2026 _____________ Alone in the rain... The falling water On my face and I’m Face to face... The falling water On my skin and yet I am not washed Clean. I stay...! “Why did you cower In fear so long?” I said - “Why did you Throw it all away...? Why did you put up With me so long? Who stole your Life away...?” Evidence of my head And face... My voice Is not my voice and yet It is - but isn’t... The torment. The fear Despair. Mocked - the Demon butterfly, the Skin-tight cage How could it have been? What would they have Said? Was all of this Just pointless pain? I see myself curled up In fear. The pain etched In every line of skin, every Dread drop draining down... Empty shell... How could I Have said, how could I...? No game set up yet still Game set up to lose... I look down and up at Myself. My eyes meet My own in silent Commiseration, I... “I forgive you,” I say. “I let you go… Go in peace Exhale. Your Pain can leave..." Then I watch myself Melt away... I melt away...! And yet I... Stay.
