It’s Not A Map of Tragedy

The scars

Both seen

And unseen

Aren’t a map

Of tragedy.

You look at me

And assume my life

Is spelled out

In brokenness and grief

But my life

Isn’t defined

By a single

Tragedy

Everything

In-between

Matters too.

I don’t need

Looks of pity

I have good days

And bad the same

As you

And I don’t

Map my life

In terms of tragedy

If anything the scars

I wear

Both seen and

Unseen

The so called

Missing pieces

Are a story

Of survival,

So please spare

Me your long looks

Of pity.

© Michelle R Kidwell

August.15.2022