The Past

They say the “past is the past” 

But it’s still judged so fast 

It follows me 

Haunts me 

Following me like a shadow 

That leaves me feeling hollow 

The shadow beats me down 

Down so far that I feel as if I might drown

I try to find the light 

I try to make it right 

But the shadow will never go away 

It feels dark and cold 

I feel like my heart has been sold 

The shadows hands choke me 

Like a vacuum sucking from my stomach 

The tears flow like autopilot running it 

I try hard to change, I try to forget 

But the shadow makes me feel set 

Set with who I am 

Who others tell me I am 

I smile through the pain 

Even though my eyes want to rain 

I run away from the shadow and hide 

But he always ends up by my side 

Have you ever felt like your past follows you? Like no matter how many “fresh starts” you try to have, you end up being judged for who you used to be. This is how I felt during this time of writing this. The truth is, you can’t escape the past no matter how much you ignore it. I learned to embrace the past. Embrace all the bad and the good. Embrace that the past has made me who I am today; that I overcame something that made me stronger, more sympathetic and patient. That is something to be proud of. I hope this helps someone let go of the past and look at what is ahead.