In a mirror's honest gaze, I utter...
Dear Thomas,
This is my word to you
Belief is a feast of the eyes
And knowledge-
The power of the mind
But are you wise?
Yes! Til the doubt feasts on you
Like a rat slowly eating
The edges of your life
Taking away everything-
Confidence, wisdom and intelligence,
Defecating trails of struggle and pain
Leaving traces of misery.
What a way to learn.

To the future me...
Believe in yourself
To the past, it was a good lesson,
In the present,
Like a farmer, you stand
in the middle of the field-
That looks everything like your life
Watching... It is a filmstrip,
Detailed images here and there
A few parched areas,
Dying blades of grass
Hopeless crops darted across the field,
But there you are - standing
And hoping for a chance of rain,
A miracle perhaps-which you doubt-
Questioning,
'Will it quench the dry earth?'

Alas, your sweat provides little moisture
To survive a few struggling blades of grass
That humbly open their thin arms
To receive a few drops of life.
They look hopeful, and grateful
So should you.

Among all my life’s accomplishments, my most significant triumph is simply being here, continuing to fight, and holding onto hope.
I exist in both fear and joy, and within this duality lies an immeasurable strength.
I look up at the stars that carry my memories, and I firmly believe, endlessly, that I can still discover my path back home.
I gaze into the water, watching the silent and gentle ripples dance around me, and I realize that my spirit is still in the process of healing, still enveloping me, my faith, intricately weaving patterns in my thoughts, flowing and revitalizing my very essence.
This is the exact place where God guided me to listen to his voice, to find peace in his presence, and to be reassured that he is alive and breathing for me, infusing life into me, allowing my being to mend.

-Rhia Clay