Spiral Staircase

At the top
Of a twisted staircase
Looking down
At the bottom step

The first step I take
I feel the tension rise
My toes cringe
My hands clam
My mind
A broken flashlight

Down another step I go
And I feel a rush
Through my veins

That person
I always avoided
Is now haunting
Me

I hurt her deeply
Thoughtless words
Stabbing knives
I punctured her stability

Half way down
My body has calmed
Stopping on that middle step
I take a seat
With a breath
Continuing down
The spiral steps

Third to last step
I look behind
How far I came
Braver than I thought

Why dwell on
That very first step
It's all behind me
Said and done

This is it
I reached the bottom
I smiled and thought
Well done

I climbed my mountains
And yes it was hard
But with effort
And fearlessness
I won