faded gleam, renewed dream

Bryan Milstead

there was a light within all of us

it experienced beautiful, idyllic times

problems abundantly were kept at bay

and our rose-colored cheeks were invigorated by sunshine

there was a light within all of us

it nourished our spirits through serene summer evenings

that danced like dandelion seeds on a gentle breeze

and encouraged our fiery red hearts in its dreaming

until a day arrived – no, was it just a day?

was it just a day that our light faded faded faded faded faded

being dimmed into a numb nothingness

suppressed by the breeze which had once sang and now, cursed our names

where cerulean tears washed the rosiness from our faces and dripped into flower vases

with layers of skin, bone, and soul peeled back like wrapping paper from our favorite childhood gifts

or was it weeks, months, and years of pain that caused us to be this way?

stressful workdays, people who betrayed, and malignant hearsay?

a darkness which shoved us into survival mode

flipped our worlds upside down and inside out

made our cries for help feel unheard

eyes heavy, lips shut, bearing the weight of the world on our shoulders

had us wondering how long this would last until we grew older...

my friend, this is not where the story ends

our light can be uncovered, rediscovered, it is like no other

our light never died, it just needed to be rekindled

with every trial and tribulation adding a spark

reaffirming our strengths, accepting our weaknesses

we will no longer self-judge or hold a grudge,

but instead reclaim our self esteems, dreams, and everything in between

and slowly, but surely, we will heal

with our light being so bright and intense that we have no choice but to spread it to others,

who suffered just like us

in hopes that they may find their light again

there is a light within all of us.

don’t ever, for one second, believe you aren’t worthy of possessing it.