The Healing Point

in the moment between
speech and thought,
the space between words
spoken and those heard,
there comes a moment –
clarity –
in a lifetime of apology
when the reality
is scratched hard
for everyone to see

scorn hammered derision
pulled taut around throat
fists circling eyes
smash lips into smiles

a moment in a pause in a glimpse in a time
a point between now and then,
the space between why and when,
the question not
to be or not to be
but how to be who you want to be