Brave

this year, I decided to chase courage

in 20 years of life I’ve never seen myself as brave

my hands are soft — I’m still no warrior

but I’ve learned strength is more than the grip to yield a sword

brave is being honest despite the truth’s barbs

it’s asking the question — even if the only answer is “turmoil”

brave is accepting the very worst parts of yourself

courage is knowing they are not your definition

brave is clutching hope with white knuckles and bulged veins

and sometimes, it’s embracing the fear of opening your palms

brave is pushing back the covers to put your feet on the floor

trusting your legs to hold even the weight of your mistakes

brave is staying soft when the world screams “fight back!”

it is both the quiet of reflection and the roar of a battle cry

brave is looking in the mirror and wiping away the distortions

courage is running headfirst towards smoke

and finding ways to thrive in the heat

brave is admitting “I am weaker than I want to be”

even if your voice is nothing more than a whisper

brave is imagining your branches filling the sky

courage is remembering “I can still grow.”

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