Black Rimmed

I used to look at the world through bare eyes,
naive like a child's teddy bear, naked and vulnerable,
an egg sitting unprotected on the edge of a cliff.
And that was ok, when I had you protecting me.
I could cower in the shadows, daily a masquerade.
But now, I have risen from the darkness.

I grew rims the color of midnight around my eyes,
saw the world for what it truly was, an eagle born
from the abandoned nest. I shook off the broken
shells and took flight. Now when you see me,
you run away, but I will not run from you,
I take flights, spreading magnificent wings.

I fly with a straight back, an air of predator,
but talons with the gentle nature of holding
the child's teddy bear. I have grown into myself,
stretched my neck, standing tall. Protector fled,
I am no longer a fragile egg sitting in the nest,
so look into these black rimmed eyes and weep.