I feel empowered
When I see the word resilience
I feel like I can swim again against the waves
When I see the word resilience
I can get back and up land another punch

When I see the word resilience
I see my younger, child self
I go to her and I giver her a hug
I tell her you will get through this
I tell her that he won’t be in your life forever
That she has the most resilience of anyone I know
And onto hang onto that one word cause it will get her through
That one word resilience

you envy me for my resilience,

but you forget
the way I break harder than needed.

The heart burns like the fiercest fire
Lights with passion as its igniter

Grows the more it is feeded
Weakens when not given what's needed

Takes astronimical portions to keep the hunger at bay
Just a bucket of water washes the heat away

Fully aflame it can be seen for miles
Even a spark can light up an aisle

It'll streak, power, shine and search for love
It'll break, whither and darken when it finds none

When the flames of wanting are said and done
I'll tell you the story of the heart has only begun.

The embers left over can always be rekindled,
New seeds of Eden in black Ash can always be sprinkled.

Some spark brighter as the days grow darker,
Beautiful torches lit as the world gets ugly.
My friend, you burn too fierce for your own health.
My spitfire comrade, you rant against the system,
You glow like a warm hearth in the rain.

Our doctor darts around lightening the burden.
One kind heart shines like a candle in a window.
The mourners on the hill stand rose-gold in the sunset.
The singers around the massive drum in Kitigan Zibi
Strike the ear as a bonfire strikes the eye.

It gives me hope. My friend, you give me hope.
I will feed it with the glee of a pyromaniac.
Wildfires rage in the dying forests; we rage back,
Sparking bright as the days grow dark.

They tell me to be quiet.
Quiet enough my presence doesn’t make a ruckus.
Small enough that my presence is untouched.
Shrinking into spaces that they wish I was forgot in.
They tell me I speak too loudly.
Take up too much space in the room when I make a proclamation.
My dad was the first man to teach me women shouldn’t talk back.
With every slap to the face my voice grew deeper.
My brother said if I didn’t put myself in a corner, they would do it for me.
With every push I learned to stand my ground.
My mom told me that my slick tongue made me unbearable to men.
So, it grew sharper to lash at those who spite my freedom.
Legs crossed, dressed pressed, and hair slick back in a pony.
Sit pretty but not enough to leave them tempted.
The only wise thing I ever learned from my parents was to carry a key in my hand.
Check your car before getting in.
Walk at night only in company.
Carry your phone, but don’t talk on it.
I always wondered how the world has groomed woman but never refined their men.
Never directed my brother that no meant boundaries.
Never spoke of respect as if its given and not earned.
Never addressed that a woman was object of desire but not possession.
Speak up woman, but not louder than those men around you.
Assert yourself but never over the men.
Be strong, firm but mend as I need you to when I need you to.
If I was to vocal, I was a ***** & if I was so quiet, I was a door mat.
If I was too conservative, I was a ***** and if I was to provocative, I was a *****.
If I was to a leader, I was bossy and if I followed, I lacked a backbone.
I wondered what strength I had in being all of that at once.
How I could be the ****** and the maker.
This was the closest to god I ever felt.
& it makes me wonder if god was a woman too.

I loved riding my
bike as a child. It offered
me a new world view.

I was fast and free.
Then we put cards in the spokes,
and I motorcycled.

I cut corners like
a politician and wore
aviator glasses...

I could have passed my
driving test, last year - but nooo
- for once - I was chill.

I'm sure the trauma
of my laziness will scar
me, but - maybe not.

Sometimes I'm
SO resilient that people
think me uncaring.

Warning: People may
be far more emotional
than they might appear.

I finally felt your love,
But it was too cold.

So I took off my sweater,
and sat frozen with you.

Bewildering silence,
Words without violence,
Rage on hold,
As I close my eyelids,

Let go of attachment,
Let go of the pain,
You are unbreakable,
Don’t listen to your brain,

You are the symphony of understanding,
The audience of your dreams,
That makes you feel heard,
Fulfills your every need,

You are the embrace you seek,
The match to light your fire,
Passionate comfort,
Available at every hour,

You are resilient,
You are strong,
Flowers bloom in your footsteps,
After every setback,
Every fall,

Delve into your Universe,
Shower in your love,
For you are more than enough,
You are divinely whole.