Fading Away

You never realize how hard it is to be invisible
Until someone sees you.
Not just a fleeting glance or a raise of the eyebrows,
But really looks at you.
Stares into your soul
And pulls you from the darkness
Into the light that they cast on the world.

Only then do you understand
How lonely the dark was.
How cold.
How cruel.
It stole your spark. but slowly they bring it back.
Lend you a candle until you can light your own wick
And become your own star.

And suddenly it's terrifying, not being seen.
You would do anything
To step out of the shadows and into the glow,
Desperately grasping at something that you are unable to touch
As you are held down by something you can't outwardly feel.
But it consumes you.
It feasts on your flame until you begin fading away.

But.
Someone passes with a burn so bright
That it caresses your freezing face.
They hand you a match
And you start again.
And step into the sun
Holding out a lighter to share.