And so

I gathered up

all that had once

held me back,

all those

in-your-face

old triggers

that once caused

deep pain.

I gathered up all

the memories

of all the times

and all the present

stories and thoughts

of people

and situations

that were

dishonoring.

And with a prayer,

I flung it all

as far as I could —

to be recycled —

to be free.