Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E.

I wished you well though it hurt deep

I allowed you to break me in places only God could heal

I learned the essence of pain from you

You wrestled with me in each person I met

I carried you like airline luggage

I struggled to put you down because I carried you for so long

There were and are too many of you to recall

I rehearsed you like Shakespeare lines

I told many people about you down through the years

You kept showing up no matter where I went

Who are you some would ask…

Offenses

Etched in my mind so deeply that I can’t sleep at night because of you

Offenses

You started attacking me at age five

The rounds of you are longer than the years of the greatest boxers to ever do it.

Offenses

Putting you away in a locked chest is the only way I can get past the mark you left in my soul

Offenses

I’ve mastered your techniques, strategies, and ways like an abusive relationship

Today though…

I no longer play the fool because though you are relentless at hurting me, I’m tired of picking up offenses…

Poem by Shakera Williams

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