Introspection

    by Jan Duncan-O'Neal

We crawl in this swamp,

our ragged seams

exposed like a nightshirt

pulled inside out.

If we dare to look within

dark places of our souls,

we cast out nets, pull up

faces of fear lurking

behind what we do not

see within ourselves,  but

in the midnight moment,

we make breakthroughs

blessed by moon, stars,

mountain tops, all-knowing

eyes.  If we let go, fall on

sharp edges, stagger but

rise again, we can transcend.

Our scars heal.  We yearn

for unity, stand in shadows,

but walk toward threads of light.

© 2011 Jan Duncan-O'Neal

Jan Duncan-O'Neal has been a children's librarian, and authored eleven professional books.  She now writes poetry and is an editor for I-70 Review.  The spiritual director of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Missouri requested Jan to write a series of poems inspired by fabric tapestries on the spiritual journey.  This is the first poem of the series.