The End of the End

Shadows have followed you
your whole life.
Shadows of lies  
and anger,
of betrayal and torture.
Even when you thought you
were free, they followed you
and dragged you back to  
the black hell  
you've spent your whole
life trying to climb out of.
 
Those who you considered  
acquaintances, friends
have torn you down,
have tried to end your life.
And so have you.
 
But, it's over now.
Strength and compassion
are left standing where
anger and hate once were.
Those three are nothing
more than memories
fading with each second that passes.
 
Although you have not yet forgiven,
you are slowly forgetting  
and moving on to a place
where you can finally laugh
and smile and love again.
You do not have to be hurt,
you do not have to be used.
You are free.
And this is the end
of their era of control.