Pin Prick of Hope - A Journey from Death to Life

poem by Jennifer Fleming 2014

dark
too dark

i stick trembling hands out - they came back bloody last time

do i dare hope? does hope even exist?

a spark!

the instant i dare believe in the possibility of hope,
a light - just a pin prick of hope grows
banishing the pitch blackness of despair - of death
to shine boldly, illuminating the Way, the Truth, the Life

i cringe
hands tight against burning eyes
i don't want to see how dirty i am, how incapable 
of saving myself from the darkness but
despite searing pain that light of Truth brings
after such a long time in this self imposed darkness, I peek
through gaps in my fingers - daring to
focus on the face of Truth

He smiles - stretches His scarred hand for mine
the excruciating pain of seeing myself
as He must see me - dirty, helpless, false - He forgives,
breathes life where death once reside

i gasp, taking in the first real breath
my heart pumps life - abundant life

though once i was dead, now i live