SKELETON WOMAN

by Barbara Ann
(Virginia)

I faced down skeleton woman
I have felt her cold hard bones
She terrified me.
My heart ran in fear…
Trying to get away - as far as I could.

But the warmth and celebration of love
Beckoned me back.
The craving of my romantic heart called…
“Quench you thirst in my oasis…from your desert!”

Love won out over my terror of death, loss, and pain.
I heeded love’s beckoning call.
I risked.
I threw myself into love’s sacred fire…
Both feet.
I trusted and the completeness still nourishes my soul.
I believe in Love in all its glory.

I have danced with skeleton woman.
Skeleton woman.
I have held her in my arms.
I have danced with death…and all its risks of loss and pain.
I have befriended her cold hard bones.
We have waltzed on life’s dance floor together… swirling to its music…
loud and soft, fast and slow.
I have stepped on her brittle toes when I was scared to risk.
Skeleton woman has stood by me.
She has held my hand, and guided me on my next step…
Taught me my next steps

Skeleton woman – my terror of death, loss and pain –
Has captured each of my tears
-in her boney hands
-on her broad shoulders
- holds me through the night as I sort out and grieve in my dreams.

My tears have watered her desert.
She grows warm flesh on her strong bones from my tear’s heat and moisture.
We dance together daily...
Each move in better sync
I take skeleton woman in my arms
And she rocks me Through my pain, and comforts my fears.

You will survive she whispers!
You will thrive she sings!

She is the terror of loving =
Passion’s pain = instead of pleasure.
One cannot have one without the other.

I accept with strength and courage
Both.

We Dance together.
Swirling on life’s dance floor
Loving life
Loving others
Loving self
Stronger... Braver… Vibrant… Friends…
Skeleton woman and me.