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Stopsel - Nations Flags — Description
You were born with a weak heart,
with salt in your lungs,
rusted eyes –

trying to baptize yourself in the love of others,
unable to breathe the air they breathe.

All your life you have yearned
for the light of belonging –

Left to wither, you grew
bitter roots in the chill
when you bathed in the cold
terror of a winter river –

Clawing your unwavering way
into untenable earth to
Emerge as the monster they
all believed you to be

Awaking with coyote eyes and wolf claws,
(a new heart)

Your resurrection came at a cost –
empty hands hollow chest
Falling asleep
alone in the half-light
of a self-made hell, chased down dim disinfected halls

You wake up underground –
(You are more than their fears)

You wake up in a morgue drawer –
(You are more than the hatred in their eyes)

You wake up in the woods –
(You are more than your scars)

You wake up with the moon in your chest –
(Do not be afraid to be soft)

The only thing you own anymore is a mantra:
Stay alive

Do not afraid to grow beyond the rancid roots you planted to survive.