The Clearing

I find myself in a forest of lies, each tree planted by the hands I trusted. The ground beneath is uneven, roots of betrayal twisting underfoot. There was a time we built this place together, each moment a sapling of joy. Now, the clearing stretches before me, wide and raw. You brought another into the quiet of our sanctuary, a shadow now darkens what once felt infinite. In one act, the air thickened, the sunlight grew cold. But here, in this clearing, I will plant again. Not for us, but for myself. Every seed will grow with truth, every root will strengthen without deceit. The forest will heal, even as its scars remain. I will walk forward, leaving behind the hollow trunks of your actions. The clearing is mine now, and it is enough.