As the wheel turned
A new cycle began
She shed the last like a skin
She prayed that a butterfly
Would materialise
From the ugly cocoon she’d been in
Shackled, in chains
For way too long
Finally she’d broken free
Opened her eyes
As if for the first time
Like she’d been blind but now could see
A shift in perspective
As she regarded her face
Reflected back from the glass
No longer macabre
But cleansed and fresh
Forgiven and purged at last
The self-loathing that afflicted
Had burnt itself out
All had been forgiven
Now she was at peace
Within and without
Thanks to reciting the act of contrition
And thus a clean slate
A blank page was laid out
Full of potential and promise
All she need do
Was write the next chapter
And venture forward as honest
As she possibly could be
With herself and the world
No hiding behind smoke screens
For only by being
True to yourself
Can you live the life of your dreams.