Dark Spaces of the Heart

Dark spaces,
Dark places,
They are always there.
Sometimes masked 
By the business of life.
Sometimes masked
By denial.
Sometimes masked
To protect others. 

But they are there.
Always there.
Deep and dark,
Sometimes with a spark,
But always there.
Vast and expansive,
Ever growing and shrinking,
Forever and always there.

And there are times,
Throughout life
When we fall into 
These dark spaces.
Fall and crawl,
Stumble and tumble,
Rest and wait.

Hiding in the darkness,
Not yet wanting for the light,
But absorbing the feel
Of the dark.

How does it feel 
To be alone,
Yet surrounded.
How does it feel 
To lose your voice,
Yet still speak.

And why am I drawn to the dark,
And the pain,
And the depths,
And the solitude?

These spaces,
These dark spaces
Of my heart,
remain comforting -
Because they are mine. 
These spaces are sacred,
Like a shrine to my suffering.
But not so elevated.
More like a hidden cave, 
With an endless pool, 
Endless darkness,
Endless edges,
Endless Endlessness.

And no one comes to visit.
No one wants to stay.
The darkness scares,
Tears, and pushes
Others away.

Living in the light,
While exploring the dark.