Liberation

You ask me why I love the rain.

Do you remember the time when I wouldn't walk away from the edge?
I couldn't take my eyes off of the forest that lay in front of us.
The feeling of being taller than the trees.
Being bigger than something that was so powerful.
I didn't even notice you trying to get me to look at you.

It's like that.

And remember that same day when I sat where the sand met the water?
Just sat. Listening. Watching.
Taking in the smell of the salty water,
The sound of the waves pounding against the others,
The view of eternal water.
I didn't even hear you yelling my name.

It's like that.

And did you notice tonight?
There were moments I would get so caught up in the flames.
The flickering against the bricks. The dancing of the light.
The flames consuming the logs, turning them into mere ash.
I didn't even notice your usually infectious laughter.

It's like that.

Liberation.
Being set free
If only for a moment.
Everything else melts away
And it's only me and my heart.
It's in these moments that I'm happiest.
Closest to my true self.
The one that is happy.
The one that I love.
The one that I long to be.

Shoeless.

All they do is restrict us.
Enclosed in such a tight space
All we want to do is
Get out.

Callused. Scarred.
That's the answer.
Learning lessons.
Where to step.
What to watch out for.

If we're always protected,
How are we supposed to learn?
To grow?

How are we supposed to face a world
With thorns and burrs
With soft feet?


I long to be barefoot.