listening to the signs and signals around me
is so much harder to do
than it is to ignore them.

it is time, they say.
but what if I don’t want it to be time?
I know in my heart of hearts that it rests before me,
one step from the precipice that will allow me to be
f r e e
allow me to start healing –

you are hurting yourself, they say.
well, what if I like the pain?
learning to speak is a struggle,
sharing my heart and hurt is scary
but I am learning to be brave,
acknowledging that I am, perhaps,
worthy.
that I am, perhaps, broken,
but not discarded.

it is okay to strain,
if you remember to grab the hand that reaches out.
it is so hard to remember that, sometimes.
but I think I’m doing it.