Standing tall on barren earth

I trace my silhouette in midnight mist

holding the breeze in cupped hands

smell the ozone scent of thunderstorms

and embrace the thunder’s threatening roar.

Flashes of lightning decimate the clouds, but

I fly with strength in the face of life’s gales.

My spirit, finally free, shall rise and laugh

at the futility of torrents with haunting breath.

I embrace midnight’s nocturnal rooms,

untouched by raging monsoons flailing.

I feel the chill with brittle breath haunting

but live deep inside myself with strength,

lined with warmth, emerging into light,

fighting my battle against the tempests.

When shut in a cage

only the most flexible

can squeeze past

the bars of rage.

When the cold wind seeks

only the toughest can

endure the awful

truth that it speaks.

When running out of rope

only the stoutest of

our kind can overcome

the poverty of hope.

When in a lost place

only the fragile

know when to give

and keep their faith.

Through the blasting winds of words thrown at me by judgmental people.

Through the hurricane of heartache from loved ones making their own mistakes, that left me begging for help.

Through my own battling blizzard of self worth.

Through this tornado of a constantly swirling world of change of insanity and beauty.

I still stand here ready for whatever thrashes my way.

I still stand here being myself,

Full of love, life and forgiveness.

Through my life's devastating natural disasters and the never ending storm after storm.

I may have cracked but I will never be soulfully shattered.

When I was a student, in my old days, I studied, explored and tried as I could. I had head in the clouds and sometimes kept feet on the ground. I was good student. The very best one. Graduating with honours. My professor always wanted me to be PhD student, to be the clever one.

When I was a sportsman, in my old days, I trained, played and tried as I could.

I had head in the clouds and I rarely kept feet on the ground. I was good player. The very best one. Playing every match from beginning to end. My coach always wanted me to be the captain, to be the leader, to be the strong one.

When I was a banker, in my old days, I learnt, cared of customers and tried as I could. I had head in the clouds and I never kept feet on the ground. I was good banker. The very best one. Breaking every record in sales. My manager always wanted me to be his successor, to be the successful one.

When I thought that I taught how to be tough one I fell with my face on the ground.

If I were strong, in all my old days, I would never be selfish, oblivious and overestimating myself.

If I were strong, in those good old days, I would spend more time with my friends, family and love.

If I were strong, in those great old days, I would not be afraid to fall, to cry and to ask for help.

If I were strong, in those dusty old days, I would praise, thank and love.

If I were strong, in those tough old days, I would search for those better, stronger and more successful ones.

Because that`s what the strong do.

Fortitude is derived from the innocent... The faces I hold so dear... The only ones that know, truly know, my heartsong. It is for them, when I cannot do for myself, that I see the sun. They are pieces of me. I am not whole anymore without them. I've given them my strength and they return it to me when necessary.

Just think of yourself.

Don't think of his face or of

His gentle whispers.

Think of your new life.

Don't think of him in your bed

Or holding your hand.

The whispers only

Came after the yelling and

The fists upon you.

Too often, he held

Your wrists so you couldn't run.

Bruises from his "love."

Leaving behind your

Heart saves you. You show your strength

By running away.

I never thought

I was strong enough

To deal with the weight

Of this world

And the pain it brings.

I never thought

My strength would be tested

With trials and tribulations

Worthy of the strongest person

That I know.

I never knew

The strength that I held

Until these moments

Of tragedy and heartbreak

Failed to overwhelm me.

I never knew

Just how strong I am,

How able I am,

To withstand hardships,

Even though they may still

Swallow me whole.

I'll stand strong

Until the fiercest fight,

Until I am shattered

From the force

Of the blows.

I'll stand strong

To the end of my days,

Enduring the pain

That has been

Thrown my way.

Seize her smile

Put it in my pocket

To hold for later

When she's not so near

Her strength pushes me forward

Capture her beauty

Hide it away

In the recesses of my mind

To prehend all that she is

To seize the moments with her

Taking full advantage of every microsecond

Some say I will die for you

I say I will live for her

strength is truly in the moment when you're not afraid to cry.

when you don't care

about words that you have swallowed,

when you don't care

about what others will think and say.

crying is too often misinterpreted.

it is weakness,

they say. 

it is to be avoided 

as it makes you look foolish,

they say.

why are we trying to feel

mechanically?

because emotions just don't operate in clockwork.

Strength is not only physical power,

Reigning supreme is inner fortitude.

A blitheness of spirit none can devour,

When found and embraced, existence renewed.

Cowards boasting to make themselves bigger,

Oppressors flaunting their audacity.

Lacking themselves any ounce of vigor,

Disparaging others’ tenacity.

Victims’ ethos, a sad mentality,

Inner fearlessness masquerades as nerve.

Bullies wresting vim and vitality,

Equilibrium, karma will preserve.

Wisdom and spirit, true coalescence,

Savoring authentic effervescence.