Catholic during the Great Apostasy

Am I a shadow of my own self?

Or a reflection in the world’s crooked mirror?
Or maybe it’s me — the true one, without a mask?

Perhaps it’s worth looking into the mirror of truth,
to see oneself without retouching,
without fake smiles and other lies.

Why do people reject God?
Is it not because the truth terrifies them,
tears off their masks and disguises?

What remains of us then?
Emptiness and the plain gray of day.

No more rebel, no sharp-tongued netizen,
only a puppet — an empty marionette,
a doll dancing on the strings of the system.

Am I a shadow, my own reflection?
No!

I am an image painted by myself.
And since I am no great artist,
it’s a kitschy reflection of dreams,
where lies become truth,
and foolishness replaces wisdom.

Look around —
can you still find yourself?

Reach deep into your soul,
perhaps there are still crumbs of you left —
crumbs of the mirror you shattered
for others, not for yourself.

Piece your world back together,
for no one will do it for you.

There is no magic in this.
God, too, only shows you the way,
He does not carry you above the crosses.

It’s high time to wake up.
It’s high time,
because only you can change your world,
your life.

It’s already high time.

Arkadiusz Niewolski