flares of these strange thoughts

20.

(not super proud of this one but hey we'll call it a writing exercise and be done with it)

You with the ivory hair

That now transitions into its former ebony,

You with the violin in your graceful hands;

Let your kindness remain unmarred,

Let your gentleness be your might.

Let hope never exit your soul,

Let love never betray your heart.

In your long life

Have you wanted to cease everything?

To run away, maybe run so fast

That you find yourself in a separate planet altogether?

Do you wish to close those wise eyes

And travel to that fateful land

Wherein waits he

Who once called you his great sin?

Take heart, instead, in knowing

That she who loves you with her entire being

Stands beside you and shares in your suffering.

Feel your daughter's fingers wrap around yours.

Far be it from me to tell you

That the pain will ever be worth it,

Nor will I suggest that all your tears

And isolation were deserved.

Certainly not by your porcelain soul.

Yet, life twists in ways we may never predict

And all we can ever do is move forward,

And never dwell too long on what has passed.

You have proved yourself a survivor more than a victim

A fighter more than an endurer

And most significantly, a lover rather than an avenger.

Stand tall,

For today and forevermore,

You are a hero.