It Was Quiet

It was quiet and
I was shiny and soft and new
But it was too bright
And I closed my eyes to the rest of you

I grew up and learned to pretend
That I understood the world
I watched and waited
As my story unfurled

I sat in the shadows
And watched all around me
As you used your torches
To break the darkness and see

I like to think
I was part of that story
But I was made of ashes and dead flames
And as unseen as a fairy

I stayed in the tangles
Of the wilderness
And watched the world change
As I was stuck in sameness

I saw all of you, though you didn't see me
And my spirit
Was old and worn and wise
And it was quiet