An Unburdening
 
I picked up my stress,
felt the weight of it,
struggled to stay upright;
it seemed heavier
than last time — or
had I grown weaker?
 
I lay down with my stress,
felt the fear of it,
my eyes wide open,
helplessly awake
in the long, cruel hours
between night and dawn.
 
I worked with my stress,
felt the sharp edges,
as I bumped into it
with my hips, my shins,
leaving bruises
I could never quite explain.
 
I peeled away my stress,
left it lying there empty
like the skin of snake
and walked away,
bubbles of laughter popping
in a newly defiant mouth.

Arvilla Fee
 
If you have any thoughts about this poem, Arvilla Fee would be pleased to hear them