Unapologetically

You are a fighter -

Clenched teeth and furrowed brows,

you are a fighter.

Pain, panic, pushing, pulling, punching:

you are a fighter.

Tears of shame, words attacking you from the inside, you

are a fighter.

You are a fighter because of your pain.

Because of the days you just..

can’t keep pushing and pulling, and punching.

You are a fighter because you care

Sometimes too much, sometimes too little

You are a fighter because you cry

Because you scream, because you hurt

And because you persevere

You are a fighter because its just too hard

And giving up is just too easy.

You are a fighter because its impossible

To keep carrying on, holding your head up

Your smile lit, your mind switched on.

You are a fighter when you don’t get up

When you distract and deny and hide

When you paint the face to show the world

Whilst breaking up inside

You are a fighter every day

Every day you live with your truth and your pain

Every day you breathe a breath

Every day you share a gaze

You are a fighter

Because you are here,

And because you..

Cannot be anyone but you