I Have a Feeling

I have a feeling: a feeling

not many understand.

If they did, would it make

a difference? What hides

inside will rarely surface.

If I let others know, would it

be worth it? When you look

at my face, you won’t see what

lies beneath; you will see

a man wearing a mask

sewn together by false

hope and wavering optimism.

My eyes would give you

a glimpse into a feeling not

so appealing. If you look into

my eyes long enough, I think

you would be surprised. You

would see a distant land:

a world riddled with incomplete

sentences, broken hearts,

empty promises, burned bridges,

missing parts, shattered dreams,

misplaced things, and places

darker than they seem. If I look

into your eyes, would they tell

a story similar to mine? I would

only know if you gave me

the time. If I lost myself, could

you find me without seeing

the signs? I have a feeling that

the tide is turning. I have a feeling

that things will change. I have

a feeling that I can overcome

all that has happened in my life.

Next time you see me and look

into my eyes, you will see past

the mask. You will see a man

who faced his fears – a man who

rid himself of guilt, shame,

and regret – a man who has

rewritten his story. After seeing

me for who I am, I am starting

to think that you understand.