ᶵʰᵉ APERTURE ⁱⁿᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ
[Ten]
As the countdown to the new year begins, I am placed in this narrowing hallway, walls lined with the
static from every decision made in this last year and the versions of myself I may leave behind,
[Nine]
By my side, fear and determination stand, [Eight], fear cloaking me with armor and preparing me for
the worst, [Seven], while determination fills me with a pulse that drives me forward, [Six], both forcing me to stride towards the door that stands at the end,
[Five]
And as though to allow me to peak, the sound of the lock turning on its own, drawing me in... the
shadow of a monster to be conquered, [Four], eyes like unlit January mornings, yet still the tightening of
a fist and the strange heat in my chest, a stubborn coal of iron, a quiet drive that doesn't need to shout
to be heard above the grinding gears of a clock that refused to slow down, [Three], The floor beneath moving along, forcing my boots to take steps even before I can lace them
[Two]
As I reach the slightly opened door, I am reaching for the lock with a hand that belongs to a stranger I
am about to meet...the newer version of me...The future, a cold wind, screaming through the open crack and I am the answer
[One]
Clinging to the "Maybe" while the "Certain" fades away,
too late to stop and too early to know, as I take...
[Happy New Year!!]
The first breathe
