Nothing So Prickly As Before

My appearance is a shadow Of who I used to be Like an old tree amongst saplings I too have dispersed my leaves. And have rewritten many Dark chapters of who I used to be. But still, I am alone. Pretending to be wise and evergreen And headstrong, pretending I can be stoic and survive. That winter is an apprenticeship. And soon comes another spring. I'll burst into intoxicating pink and white horse chestnut flowers. nothing so prickly as before And find my indomitable true self. Loved above all else—once more. But then comes the following fall. Nothing has changed except I'm not so bothered to rewrite These dark chapters anymore And realise my shadow is The same as all the other shadows And leaves that have gone before, and I am not so alone Or was I ever? Now wishing I could Write a better chapter and close My book on a happy, somewhat hereafter.