Who Do You See?

Who do you see when you look at me?

Do you see the broken and battered person within?

Do you see the shadows and the scars?
The monster's jaws?

Do you see a place of utter darkness,
No glimmer of hope?

Or do you see
The small shimmer of a whole,
The last light of weakening hope?

Do you see
A broken person of light,
Browning in suffering and plight?

Under scars and lies
Bound by chains of the soul

Behind walls so great and tall
No light can breach its stones

Far beneath the darkness of despair
Suffocating in forgotten dreams,
Lies a waste in the pit of doom

Who do you see when you look at me?

Do you see
A strong and mighty tower
Fallen under a greater power?

Do you see
A once-glorious kingdom
Now ashes at your feet?

A long-forgotten joy?

A beautiful painting
Marred by years of ageing

A once-blooming flower,
Wilted under winter's mighty power?

Or do you see
Shattered and broken pieces,
 Awaiting new shape?

Do you see
Building blocks of a tower
Torn down to build another greater than the other?

A beach full of treasures of the sea
Waiting for hands to see their beauty

 A key locked in a box,
Wating for the hammer?

Jars of coloured ink?
Patiently awaiting to take part in drawing life into the fire?

Who do you see when you look at me?

Do you see my highs and lows?
My faults and blows?

Do you see
Fields of flowers
Painting memories over the ground?

Mountains torn down,
Mourning in the ground?

Do you see my desperate cry?
My hoarse shout for help?
The torrents of rain,
Drowning out my crown?

Or do you see...

An old peaceful garden,
Full of past camaraderie?

A battlefield overgrown in flowers?

The quiet hush of an undisturbed forest?

The final resting place of one so great?

Do you see
A seasoned warrior
Lying upon the ground
Waiting for a peaceful death?

Who do you see when you look at me?

"I am that, and more."