I can't really mark that exact moment
when I found it was my own hand
holding the image of myself
over the flames of a burning pit.
Watching as this thick, dark smoke
clouds over me in a blinding veil
and the edges of the image begin
to slowly curl in at the tips.
And I know
if I let the heat,
that's resonating off all of my insecurities,
lift yet another finger from the
grasp I have on my image
is just another step further
to letting it fall to be consumed
by the blaze.
And I know
I should pull my arm back to me
and save me from myself,
but I seem to be bound by a force
calling to me deep from the pit,
drawing me closer and closer
with the simplest of words,
"I am not good enough."