Risk

I risked a lie,
And then they just
Kept coming, creeping on
Slimy feet into my heart.
Broken words slip pas
Lips raw with worry.
And then it comes-
A risk: To tell the truth.
And out it comes,
A stumbling story of
Denial and pain,
And I was emptied, my body
Filled up with memories of
Lies and stolen words and risks.
I plummeted, sinking into darkness,
Drifting in cold despair
Until I risked swimming
To the surface,
Breaking free,
And gasping for air,
Fighting for solid ground and warmth.
I took a risk
And lived.