what begins as a moment of introspection
or an excavation of past resentments
a digging into the past or deeper levels of self pity
suddenly becomes a hole with steep walls

now a prisoner of my own defenses
locked behind a thickening wall of isolation
losing the option of interaction
entrapped by the comfort of being alone

sitting back in this pit of evaluation
serves to put off the necessary climb
reaching out to others seems impossible
arms clenched at the chest makes that true!

thoughts bouncing around inside my head
how long to inhabit this self imposed echo chamber
deafening silence brings me to my knees –
just where I need to be!

reach for that outstretched hand
Unclench! Return that welcoming smile
let go of the justifiable anger and the rest of the baggage…
and climb!
jc