I walked into the world after the storm.
no not into the cage of more walls
not into the chains of someone else's arms
just me, by myself  
i could tell i was alone
no one followed me out into this silent barring
and in the quietness i found time to reckon in my thoughts
remember what matted most
myself
being who i am
being my own and no one else's
and all the other complications became so small compared to wanting the important things back
happiness
knowing i can find a voice in the sun
love in the trees
arms reaching out in the wind
i'm not saying this place is home
but i'm admitting it's livable
i am the breathing, laughing, crying proof that it is.