It's 4 AM.
The coyotes bark and howl in the distance.
A low rumble and whistle passes as a train lumbers by.
The clock ticks as the mind sharpens, for sleep is lost.
Thoughts race as conversations repeat. Years of memories flood the mind, while the heart pounds harder, ready to implode.
Pain and sorrow fragmented by grief, fail to form but a shattered soul.
Words burn through the consciousness like a mantra sung by monks.
Betrayal! Lies! Perversions of sanity!
Yet, screaming loudly, brightly.
Stretching the hope of sleep into an infinite impossibility.
Standing on the edge of the proverbial precipice, wondering if the strength is there to make the leap.
To cross the canyon of incomprehensible demoralization without falling. Without succumbing to the pain that threatens to turn your lungs to stone.
STOP!
Stop spinning the wheels of doubt and trepidation!
Stop feeding the flames of fear and denial!
BREATHE!
Allow yourself to heal.
Allow yourself to hope.
Allow yourself to love.
It's 5 AM…