There is a bully in this joyless playground,
A tyrant who throws deep belly punches of guilt and shame,
Who slings buckets of mud, sullying me with cruel words,
For not being a better mother, daughter, teacher, friend, lover.

This false friend, who took me under his wing,
Led me on a merry dance of half-truths and false promises,
Dazzled me with dream jobs, exotic travel, fun relationships,
Now shows his rage. And I cower, eyes tight shut, into a ball.
Until, a soft, tender whisper of Love warms my aching heart.
For I say no to this unending Ferris wheel of outer experience,
The sorrow, pain and despair of these enticing dead-end trails,
The wrath of mind’s tantrum in the face of Truth.
I step aside from the terrorising shadow of my oppressor,
For I am not the hateful coward he would have me be.
I gaze up into the Radiant eyes of my lover within,
Whose warm illuminating rays give me a glimpse of my divinity.
In the scintillating clarity of this graced moment,
All fear, doubt, regret, confusion melt away.
I stand tall, a beacon of Love and truth shining from within,
And with the heart of a lion turn to face my foe.
My tormentor rears his head and puffs his chest,
Then shrinks before me, a mere trompe l’oeil,
His waggy tail, fluffy paws, and doleful eyes,
Beseeching me for love and discipline like an unruly child.
The concrete playground becomes a summer meadow,
Alight and alive with buttercups, poppies, bees and butterflies.
I cartwheel, somersault and tumble with joy, in this Eden within,
The tyrant, a mere puppy dog, nipping playfully at my heels.
If this poem resonated with you, feel free to comment…