sometimes,

i want to take off my skin,

. and memories,

and fears

. and sin.

.

. and all the things

that i should leave behind,

but won’t.

.

and dive into the water

. where peace

is silent and deep.

.

but i don’t.

.

and i wonder how much regret

weighs,

. and

how long it will take

before i can no longer carry it.

.

—shackles.

.

.

© Liezel Graham 2019.

.

.

Photograph by Peter Fazekas.