After the Fact

That single year broke me

Dunked my head underwater,

Took my breath and choked me.

I couldn’t go on any farther.

It was what I’d always asked for

I’d stopped praying long ago.

But it was much too late to save my poor

Mind from what I know.

The audience is clapping now,

Thinking the monster has been slain.

But no one saw him knock me down

With their backs turned once again.

They’ve all moved on without me,

But I’m broken by the fight.

It hurts me how you don’t see

How I’m stumbling without light.