The hardest part

Beautiful ruins: Photo by Kelene Blake

by Kelene Blake


The hardest part
is wearing the scars

as stripes of honor

not a shield

engraved into skin/ mind/ heart

evidence of what you’ve overcome

memoirs of the times you’ve bled

reminders you are strong enough

to heal

The hardest part

is leaving the hurt behind

taking the lessons forward

escaping oppression

not as victim

as a graduate

your commencement

rebirth into a brighter you

emerging from confined cocoon

The hardest part

is the uncertainty

embracing it wholeheartedly

not knowing where your feet will take you

after they’ve taken you through hell

there is no unlearning what you’ve seen

there is no un-being who you’ve been

there is only creating

who you will become

The hardest part

is letting go

letting grow

letting feel

letting heal

letting blood

letting love

letting yourself

live