Fading Footsteps

The laughing eyes kissed my brow
Licked up the driblet's of sweat
Glistening on my nose
I perspired but felt cold

I was scared shitless
Ensconced on the end of an advice line
Not concentrating on the calls
Only listening intently, painfully

For sounds of knocking outside
I heard it softly at first
Then like a hammer
My heart thundered fit to explode

My time had come
Accept it like a man
Bugger that
I dashed into the bog looking for a window

Escape flooded my being
Tonight it would all come to a head
I knew if I made it tonight
I would be free.

The window stuck
Damn
A noise along the corridor
Coming closer

I have to find some way out
Panic struck me
The handle turned outside
I felt ready to die

Suddenly it happened
When I least expected it
When all looked lost
I said 'Sod it' and surrendered

It was wonderful
No longer fighting for an I
Letting go
I felt free

I was free
It had taken this to make me realise
I couldn't try and get free
Because this only strengthened the I

The I trying to be free
The very I which was the prison
You'd never escape the prison
By helping to fortify its walls

At this crucial moment
Something in me realised this
Not I
But the Absolute in us all

I was free
I am One
I am All 
And the footsteps faded...