ASHES OF SHAME by Aubyn De Lisle

Stand here on the ashes of shame and regret

Soles grind at the pain as lungs breathe in the air.

Tender young fern unwinds in the mind to steady

The heart beat, pour balm on the fear.

To steady the heart beat, pour balm on the fear

Acknowledge the ghosts of the past, release debt.

Peel away layers like bark from the trees

Revealing white tree trunk, slender and bare.

Revealing white tree trunk, slender and bare,

Tender young fern unwinds in the mind.

Beating steady the heart joins groans carried on breeze

The earth provides shelter and constancy here.

The earth provides shelter and constancy, care

To steady the heartbeat, pour balm on the fear.

So I stand on the ashes of shame and regret,

Forged by the fire here I am, I am here.