A diamond in the rough
hasn't been a diamond for long

From the core
it has been forged in the hottest fires

molded and melted
and hardened

forcing itself through the densest
praying for the chance to make it out alive

to be able to shine brightly in the sun

and through it all
it was plucked from its cave

stripped of its shell
polished and made new

Exposed and vulnerable

Don't break it

I always want to run

Like a swan
floating so gently through the water
wading through the ripples
but at the first sign of trouble
it leaps from the cool iridescent pool
wings flapping heavily
flying away as fast as it can

I ran away from friendships
hardships
relationships
from my home
my family

I convinced myself
that I was brave
a lioness
ready to fight at the sight of any trouble

but I know myself
I run

Like a child
I leave a note
or say a short farewell
and I run
as fast as I can move
and as far as my legs can carry me

And with you
I wanted to run
Every pore in my body
on fire
wanting to run
anxiety coursing through my veins

I wanted to run

And yet I stayed
grounded
and after a moment passed
I just wanted to be closer

You are strong
and hold a power inside of you
so pure and bright
that it pierces through the pain
and sorrow

and it isn't pure
because it is untainted
it is pure because it has fought
through the darkness
and survived

There's that boy
who you know your parents
would absolutely love
cute smile
great hair
athletic
tall
and treats you so sweetly

We could spend dinner
having polite conversation
telling cute stories
discussing global issues
and everything would be fine

but I'm not looking for fine

Today
I took a break
from
hating myself

My body works so hard

it gets me up every morning
so that I may learn

and it continues throughout the day
despite the exhaustion that plagues my mind

and when I work
it keeps up the pace

in the mirror
it sags
has uneven shapes
and lumps

and often I find myself
wishing to have a more appealing figure

but I cry for my body
because it works so hard for me

and I do not appreciate
its perfection.