She wore a cloak. It was comfortable and protected her from weather. Her cloak had many secret pockets and places to store anything she might need. She felt safe in the cloak. It gave her so much comfort–from winds and cold temperatures and prying eyes and hard surfaces. She loved her cloak. It was part of her…more important to her than any other possession.
She got so used to wearing the cloak that she decided to never unclasp it from her shoulder. It was easier to be too warm than to let go of the cloak’s safety. The cloak became part of her; she became part of the cloak. Over time, the cloak grew frayed. But she did not remove it. It was sometimes a burden, but, still, she could not remove it. She had grown dependent upon its secret pockets.
When she fell one day and hurt herself, the cloak had to be removed to give her aid. She resisted. She worried more for the loss of the cloak than she did for the ramifications of her injury. She struggled against the medics who insisted the cloak be cut away. She cried in fear at being exposed…
And what was underneath? Do you know? Do you know the feeling of wearing protection against the elements and world and the people in the world? Do you know the feeling of stashing parts of yourself in secret places that no one can find? Do you understand why someone would bear the burden of a cloak–even in warm weather–to prevent the anxiety and fear of being hurt? Continue reading “She Wore a Cloak–Awakening”
