Strong

Down with wayward weeds – we say thank you

And move away from you

And search for a thousand suns in a thousand souls around us.

Like water to twigs, the tides of life will carry us

From the dock where we were stuck

Oh, what it feels to be free!

– See how water flows through and in between

Like wind to the plover, we must let the light lift us

From sands of stinging tears;

Like an oak to a tired soldier, we will rest in the roots 

And draw comfort in pain

Where the bullet struck once –

And struck once again

The truth is 

Our lives, however they seem from the outside

Are peppered with small sufferings – 

Sprinkled with maroon and green 

And amber moons

Here to teach, colour and beseech us with stains of lessons learnt: 

To act more kindly

Anger more slowly

And speak honestly. Always.

It is these moons – 

Of green, and amber, and maroon

That show us to forgive courageously

Not just others, but also ourselves. 

To accept what is and let 

hurt, 

|   |

loss 

|   |

and 

|   |

heartbreak 

Leave marks like rungs of a ladder...

... and keep us ascending.

So, 

Once-stained soul be sure

That though you are small

You are the twigs of Noah

And the foundations of an ark

Now look! 

 As with maroon 

And green 

and amber moons 

Rises another you – 

The same but somehow different:

A little kinder now.

Gentler now.

A little more resilient now.

Full of joy now.

Roaring now – risen where you belong

You are here now.

You are here:

Strong