To those who see us

Do not give me pity,
Give me Grace, for
I am not inferior for
What I have endured.

Suffer with me
Out of empathy,
Not pain,
And then move on.

My roots go deeper
Than my trials.
I am stronger
And sturdier with age.

Do not pity me
Because I am stronger,
Not because I am proud.
Pride is conceit.

Let me stand
On the edge of this Cliff.
Let me hold out
My arms to the Sea.

Let me dive off
At my own will.
Let me see
What is down below.

Let me swim
Into the middle of the Ocean.
Let me be stranded.
Let me tread alone.

Let me find my way
To the shore.
Let me be washed
Up in the Tide.

Let me lay there
In exhaustion for a while.
Let me breathe heavily.
Let me gasp for air.

Let me be wounded.
Let me be tattered and worn.
Let me lay naked in the sand.
Let me struggle, let me strain.

Let me catch my breath
Before I speak.
I am not shy.
I am not weak.

My voice is not in my throat,
But in my spirit.
My strength is not in my muscles,
But in my heart.

Just because I do not speak
Does not mean I have nothing to say.
Just because I do not smile
Does not mean I am broken.

When I do speak
Listen to what I have to say.
Know that
I am here.

Do not pity me.
I am just as strong,
Just as capable,
and that is nothing to pity.