galaxy

i used to hang

from the doornail of my past

the weight of all the words ever spoken

encircling my shoulders

in a fierce embrace.

my curving spine 

protecting

the tenderest parts of me,

my heart securely tucked away

in a pocket

where no one would find it,

twisting itself around a crumpled tissue.

i never knew

how well i matched

the exact shade of the carpet

and the pattern on the wall

until you looked up and started

at finding me there.

and after you peered into my soul,

you took me down,

slowly peeled back the layers

and brought out a mirror 

to reveal my soul 

shining back 

with all the brilliance

of a galaxy.