The Residuals

She has walked through the valley of death-shade
And seen her Victor reclaim, redeem
Immersed fully in what is
Willed her mind, her heart, her soul to keep going faithfully
Overcome by what was and what might be
The residuals

She has walked through the valley of death-shade
It's sickly pallor shadows  her face
On the other side of what is
They taunt her still in catcalls and whispers, in night terrors and questions
Haunted by what almost was and what almost wasn't
The residuals

The residuals
Attach themselves like stubborn burrs
Which have no rightful place on the garments worn by her and hers
In the reality of what is Real
Where goodness and kindness pursue
She has walked through the valley of death-shade

The residuals
Sloughed off by the Shepherd's hands
She receives His comfort and rest, tentatively lives and trusts again
In the reality of Who is real
Light returns like the dawn
She has walked through the valley of death-shade