Hell's Emissary - The Legendary Tamer

My skin bears reminders of yesterday. They are roadside markers of my trips and falls, remnants I intend to burn to ashes, place in an urn and bury somewhere. People tell me to move on. Build a bridge. Get over it. When you clench your teeth and forge ahead you convince yourself the mind can be a clean slate untainted by dark colors of past trauma. You pretend that your skies will always be clear. A palette of gold and red, sunrise and sunset. Yet in sunshine a dark shadow lingers behind us every step. Our shadow wilfully follows, keeps pace with every step. I unclenched my teeth, ran my fingers along my scars. They whispered to me. I listened. I held hands with my shadow, now we walk together. Some scars never heal but how else could I know the way forward?.. So, I claim this body, this mind, this life as my own. And while I wish to share this life in kindness, compassion and empathy with others, I will not hesitate to defend when threatened. ... "...and when you wake in the morning finding that you still lie in hell, lick your lips, spit on the flames, and walk on through the fire."