Still Thriving

Today I say that I know myself
to be mightier than the fire I have walked through.
I know this because I am still standing,
I am still living, still thriving.
Not one part of my past
has conquered me while I yet live,
of this I am sure.

In the last few weeks
I have rendered the flames harmless.
Yes, they altered my psyche
and the way I have perceived the world;
yes, they certainly left their mark,
but now I see these scars as things I shall repurpose.
My scars will be used to ensure
that no one else has to bear them,
or at the very least,
no one else will have to wait
for an endless amount of time
before finding
some
small
morsel
of hope to cling to.

Trauma and tragedy are certainly hard on the human spirit
and yet nearly unavoidable on this planet,
but it is the hopelessness that isolates
and overwhelms us afterward
that can have the power to drown us...
unless we have people to reach out to
who can help keep us afloat
when we are too weary to swim,
when we start to think
that living is a waste of time.

It is by banding together
that we can become stronger than the flames that would burn us.
It is by banding together
that we can become mightier than the sword that would slay us.
It is by banding together
that we can overcome all trauma, tragedy, and heartbreak.
Alone we would surely drown in our sorrow,
but together we shall rise triumphant.
Alone we would surely drown,
but together we shall walk on water.

    It took the continual and continued support of my community for me to make the strides I have made over the years and I hope to help create a world-wide community for those who still feel utterly and profoundly alone in their misery.