Walking Away

The air is still smoky with rosemary sage, and

I’ve been thinking a lot about where I am now compared to where I’ve been,

How the journey has been full of losses and wins.

There’s a power greater than us all,

Godly and guiding if we’re willing to walk towards it, but

Most people are lazy and prefer to stand still.

They’ll hide behind masks, give up their free-will.

They’d rather feast on pretty words, and

Get drunk off of blame because

It’s not easy to face the face you have,

When you have nothing but shame,

When you’ve been told that you’re ugly and it’s best to stay hidden,

When you’ve been brainwashed into believing

You’re only value is in being of value to others

And everything else is forbidden.

But who will believe in you, if you don’t believe in yourself?

Who are you to lead, if you cannot lead yourself?

Don’t sit with the pack, start walking ahead,

Take off the mask, take a breath instead,

Relief is found in not caring.

There is freedom in being misunderstood.

I’d rather change hats than wear a singular mask,

It doesn’t make me any less good.

I change hats to become the mother I needed.

The father I needed.

The brother, the sister, the friend.

I wave to those who stay behind me, but I don’t overextend because

Not everyone is brave enough to embrace their contradictions.

To face yourself completely and without restrictions is an act of defiance.

To transform into the person you need most is an act of love.

I mourn who I once was, but I am grateful for the person I’ve found

When memories would have drowned me,

Kindness kept me on the ground

And though I have miles to go, I’ve found peace among stones

On the path of least resistance,

That’s mine and mine alone.