When hurt jumped on me
making tears flow
unexpectedly,
I had to go back
and visit pain where it lived,
to confront the reason
that it still existed.
I found it, understood it
then beat it down,
stripping it of all authority.
And then added it to
my proud badge of scars,
now the highlight
of my collection of strengths.
Instead of the cowering
weakness that it once was.
Then I went out and celebrated
the newly minted and thriving,
hurt conquering me.
Mission completed.
-Michelle Stradford 2018
YOU ARE READING
RISING
PoesíaGrowth, empowerment and resilience expressed through poetry, prose and musings. I hope that you enjoy my first collection of my interpretation of this wonderful thing we call life.