Torchère

 Torchère                                                       2/17/2016

There always comes a time

To pick up the chips

And walk away

Separating yourself

Just to stop the bleeding. 

Cashing in

And checking out

Even if it hurts

And even if you suffer.

Breaking the loop

That has strangled many

Choking them off

Before they even know.

It’s been a long time coming

But the truth will win

Bigger than all of us

No matter what we wish

Or how we feel.

There was a time

When I had all I wanted

Overly indulged

And wasted away.

I did not grow

Because I did not have to

So instead I devolved

Empty, foolish, and dumb.

But when I lost

And had to struggle

I learned contentment

And thankfulness. 

Crawling upwards

One inch at a time

Striving to survive

And dependent on God.

Experiencing everything

Like I never had before

Learning all over again

In new and ever expanding ways.

There is nothing more precious

Than wisdom and perspective

And there is nothing more important

Than truth.

Far more valuable

Than approval

A treasure that cannot be lost

Cracked, peeled, or broken. 

Wait no longer

For others to decide

But rather live boldly

Out front

And alive.    

Unafraid of criticism

And no longer in need

Of approval

A torch for others

In the blackest of days.