Growth

I am constantly growing.

I am evolving into the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I no longer want to be a frightened child; scared of offending people with my existence, terrified of ruining the perception others have of me. I have grown exhausted of being frightened, scared, and terrified of how others perceive me.

I no longer want to be an angry teenager; pushing people away out of fear of being hurt, snapping at those who only want to help, becoming upset over any minor inconvenience. I have grown exhausted of pushing people away, snapping at others, and feeling upset easily.

I no longer want to be an attention seeking adult; doing anything to receive affection, ignoring my own boundaries to make others satisfied, spending money as a form of retail therapy. I have made so much progress, I can’t give up now. I continue to make myself proud every day. I want to keep healing, to protect my heart and my soul.

I am starting to no longer be concerned with what people think of me. those negative, false opinions of me don’t matter.

the only opinion that should matter to me is my own.

Valeri Fiorini

Shadow

I do not need to hide behind the shadow of timidity shadow of not good enough shadow of “imposter”, not real… Come out ofThe Shadow but do not let it leave Grasp its hands and stand with it… stay with it as its Darkness dissolves…

I raise the Shadow’s veil of fears to see there was nothing there

-no doing of me

-no being of me

The Shadow of Fear was empty, I did not need protection from myself! no longer between me & she

That cloak now lays upon my shoulders as medicine

Aradiant cape ofTruth + power + magic… no place to cover!

I still bow to the power of my source but this Cape… ahhh this cape that was a Shadow… rises above timidity, flies me above “too much” & “not enough” This Shadow bids the Imposter goodbye

The shadow is theAlly and I am them all

Laraine Batis-Gelpi

The Way

I smell the air

I see the trees

Ameadowlark, fall on my knees

I catch my breath

And take my hand

Can’t see myself from where I stand

Born a baby

Born a saint

Alife, we tried to orchestrate

Around the ifs, the whats, the shoulds

And now we’re somewhere in the woods

I wish I may

I wish I might

Know my knowing shining bright

Light the way

Born anew

It’s been a journey, finding you

Kaylin Weir

Kaylin Weir lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband and two young girls. She is a full-time mother and part-time graduate student, studying to become a licensed professional counselor. In her spare time, which is often short in supply, she enjoys hiking, reading, and writing poetry and prose centered on motherhood, mental health, and self-compassion. Her poetry has been published in The GGP Collective and Poetic Reveries; she can also be found on Instagram @kaylinwrites.

Grave of the fireflies

Fallingin love with you was like digging a grave for a firefly, beautiful, tragic and unforgivable, full of pain and the light inside me dying with every waking moment when I was with you, but leaving you it was like all those fireflies came back to life and burst out of their graves like they’ve been alive this whole time just waiting for the moment to come back.