Healing Arts

I am fortitude not frailty, she said and smiled,

you cannot hurt me no matter how hard you tried.

You may anger me, enrage me, make me mad with your meanness.

But touch me deeply, in a place that’s flesh and bone -

You will never do that, as I am protected by my will and my wall.

I have my shield that repels the pain -

I will push you aside if you say a nasty word,

Break a promise and I will walk away,

Forget and forsake me, I will recoil and writhe.

I will not ask you for your care nor concern

And I will not seek for you may think that I am weak.

I am firm and far, you cannot reach me,  I step back.

I will reject you, hurl you, cast you aside -

If I show you my hurt will I crumble and fall?

What will become of the broken pieces of me?

I am scared, so frightened so small and so weak.

So I pretend that I bounce and bend but don’t break.

But I wish you could see, look closer, look deep.

I wish you could see the child in my soul.

And tell her to remove the stainless steel claws, and to loosen her stance that is ready to run.

Speak to her in gentle tones, ask her her worries, know her plans and her goals,

Speak to her in whispers while her hair you brush aside,

With your hand on her forehead, sit close and stay near…

As she closes her eyes and breathes and breathes.

Speak in whispers - photo by Stephanie Maxwell