i am brave
every time i climb to the top of a tree
not because the branches could give out under me
but because i am finding the way that i grieve
in a place i feel safe enough to pursue peace

i am strong
every time i put my skates on
not because i could fall if my balance is off
it’s ’cause i could have stayed broken-hearted
but instead i’ve found silly little shoes to make art with

i am gorgeous
not because my hair’s shiny or my makeup looks good,
but because i’ve decided that i am my audience
no more looking for pointers on my face’s performance
i do what i love and i let what i choose restore us

i am precious
while the people i meet are inspired by my energy
it also matters that i know i deserve to be
without anyone else profitting of my self
no one getting that chance but me

i am loved
though the family i chose is a gift that i hold
in my heart, it’s the version of me who was thirteen years old
whose soul i behold
as i yell out the stories, the mantras, the truths that i wish was told
and i make her feel loved, hold her hand, whisper “honey, be bold”