I understand that
on some days you will nurse lonely
you will argue with mirror
swallowing distorted images
telling yourself that you are not this kind of ugly
you will select colors that say “available”
and draw on a face that will make you believe
that the last one who doubted your beauty
was both blind and stupid
I fear that in those moments
you will forget
in the middle of lonely
is one
you are the one
who has overcome insurmountable obstacles
maybe not the same as mine
but they were your mountain to climb
and you climbed it
scaled it to peak
and met thin air
but thickened resolve
you
a perfectly shaped masterpiece
with flaws and failures
that make you irreplaceable
you are not the catch line to a phrase
nor the chorus to the latest song
you are a bridge
a bridge
the bridge
the connection between a broken yesterday
and a whole tomorrow
you
will never pass this way again
and you are glad about it
and this way will miss you
will covet your strong stance and your sturdy stride
as they will try to pull you back
will not know why but will try nonetheless
and you
will
NOT
let
them
https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1111891315&color=ff5500
The Devils' Share: The Podcast of Duke Magazine · Anthem For You
you will keep walking
will not expend energy
on running
from that which cannot follow
it cannot follow
they cannot follow
you cannot go back
they cannot follow
you cannot go back
they cannot follow
you will not go back
you are made of more
than tearful moments and well-crafted insults
you
are affected by words that sting
words carelessly placed
to harm you
you
acknowledge it all but never crumble
you are sand
you are waves
you cannot be still
you are waves
you cannot be silent
you are waves
at times white capped and wily
you are waves
you are ebb
and you are flow
and all the while
you are God’s rendition of peace be still
you
will stretch your hands to the sky
remind the sun, “This spirit created you”
and you will walk
like a million sunsets are bowing at your feet
you
unbreakable you
and you will be here
long after your spirit
has evacuated the shell
that you have painted perfection
I understand that
on some days you will nurse lonely
but you
will be defined
by the snow angels you left behind
when you fell
stretched
steadied yourself
and got back up again
Gaubault (McCrae) ’00 is an intentional lover of people and advocates for defining one’s personal freedom.