When I look in the mirror,

I see a woman who has walked, 

run, 

flown,

and fallen. 

A woman who has failed as much as she’s triumphed. 

Cried as much as she’s laughed. 

Cursed as much as she’s prayed. 

The woman staring back at me,

she’s loyal to no one,

and nothing. 

except the act of rebirth. 

She’s a warrior. 

A goddess. 

A dreamer. 

A survivor. 

I see a woman who’s begged to be loved and walked away as lovers dropped to their knees, begging her to stay. 

She’s picked up all that she could carry and run away,

more times than she can count. 

Arms tight against her ribs, 

clutching pieces of her life.

Leaving a trail behind her,

tumbling in her wake. 

Too desperate for escape 

to stop and retrieve them. 

It’s okay. 

She’ll make new memories. 

Buy new things. 

She’s learned how to let go.

Become an expert

At moving on with empty hands 

And quiet hope.

After all, 

starting over is the oldest friend she knows. 

She knows beginnings 

like the back of her hand. 

They’ve taken long walks in the park, laughed at corny jokes, 

and wept.

Sinking down.

Knees to chest,

onto cold porcelain 

Fallen teardrops

Mingling with the shower stream

This woman, 

She’s fearless. 

On the outside, at least. 

Inside,

she trembles. 

Unsure what each day will bring. 

Never knowing 

when the next signal to run 

will come. 

Like the toll of a bell,

Demanding, 

she abandon this journey, 

And start again. 

You see, 

for as long as she can remember, 

life has been a coyote 

and she,

a rabbit. 

Always on edge.

Always alert. 

Always aware of danger 

lurking in the shadows, 

patiently waiting,

for the moment to strike. 

The woman before me knows:

peace isn’t given. 

It’s snatched from the heavens 

after waging a war 

that can only be fought within the soul. 

She’s trudged through the shadows 

to open the blinds, 

using sunlight as her weapon

to burn through the darkness, 

taking residence deep inside. 

The woman you see here today 

She’s been up, 

down,

and all around. 

and she’s here to say:

The running ends today. 

I’m here to stay.