Breaking the Box
But under that comforter is a wild woman yearning to be free.
The box doesn’t fit anymore.
I live in such a pretty box.
I have filled it with all the things that make me feel safe and comfortable.
Over there is my perfectionist couch and in the corner is my I’m not good enough chair.
The rug is made of the finest I must always be right fibers.
The don’t shine my light lamp of course is dark.
My closet is filled to overflowing with you must not say (fill in the blank) because they might think (fill in the blank).
I love my I must always be a good girl comforter. I can lie under it and avoid any disagreement or disappointment.
But under that comforter is a wild woman yearning to be free because the box doesn’t fit anymore.
The couch is great, even if it’s shabby. The chair is perfectly adequate.
The lamp must shine to shed light on the shadows.
And the closet will be emptied when I finally speak my truth.
My wild woman is breaking out of that comfortable good girl box, out of the skin that no longer fits.
My wild woman is awake, alive, shimmering in her own inner light.
My wild woman stands in truth, sovereign and strong, conscious and centered.
The pretty box is gone. The wild woman roars!
Barbara Garland
September, 2022