Across space and time, near and far, fictional worlds and battlefield scars.
The quiet places no one knows. The bleeding hearts and the broken homes.
I want to see the grief, the pain, the broken bone. Shattered buildings and crumbling roads.
Show me the shelters that were heaven within hell. The tears that flowed like invisible blood, unknown.
“That’s morbid.” “That’s fake.” “What’s the cost of compassion these days?”
And to you I say nothing, because my words aren’t for you.
They’re for the ones still struggling.
I know there’s more than a few.
I stand to say, I’m here.
I’m with you.
You’re not crazy, or insane.
Your reality isn’t fake.
I hear you.
Your screams into the void.
You’re late-night cries.
The fear of the monsters lurking within your head.
Show me every inch you had to survive.
Tell me how it cut you and bled you dry like wine.
Tell me your story, every suffering word.
I will stand silent guard, watching as you burn.
And in the ashes, as my soul shatters under the weight of your life,
I’ll gather you in my arms, and hug through the night.
You’re perfect. You’re pure. It was never your fault.
I’m sorry I didn’t listen. I’m sorry you ever felt so small.
I’m here. I know I’m late.
I never knew how much you hurt.
I know how much easier it would be to hate.
I’m proud of you.
There is no higher truth.
Surviving is brutal.
None of this is easy to do.
And yet, you’re here. Still breathing.
Still going. Somehow holding.
You’re fighting the fight. You’re saying this isn’t right.
You sincerely give a fuck, refusing to unsee the plight.
So burn to ash, my darling, baby phoenix. Rest your weary soul.
I’ve got this watch. And when the morning comes…
know you’ll burn like a star, becoming someone’s sun.
Your life matters more than you know.
There’s only one you. No one else has your glow.
Show me the cities hidden in your skin, the Romes no one knows.
The trauma and grief. Each and every shattered window.
Lay out all your pieces so we can make you whole.
From broken to art, stained glass can play a part.
You’re gorgeous. Handsome. Every single word.
Every wonderful thing and every unmarked tomb.
A contradiction. A paradox. A human to be sure. And yet…
At the core…
In the dark, alone, fighting not to give up…
It’s not Courage or Strength… no neither of them show up.
It’s the soft whispered sounds.
It is a gently clasped hand.
It’s the phone call that’s answered.
It’s the note that’s reread.
Hope. Connection. Unity. Having a common thread.
A single thing, a signal in an endless abyss.
Even here, even now, you’ve never been alone in this.
So rest, fierce dragon, brave knight, fair lady.
Mythic fey, epic creature.
Let sleep hold you as Hope softly sings her song.
Know your story matters.
Each chapter a stanza.
Every impact a note.
Pauses are part of the piece.
It -is- ok to take a breath.
You are a piece of art.
All great things take time.
Your story isn’t over.
And I promise you, neither is mine.
Embrace the ash. Sink into the rest.
That’s where your gains come from. When you stop trying to pass a test.
You’re already an achiever.
And it’s ok if you didn’t know.
So…
be fore I let you go…
Here’s a gold star. I made it just for you.
From one survivor to another, because trust me. I see you.
I know the effort. I know the cost.
I know the wounds you still carry,
even if it’s not mentioned in our talks.
This is for breathing.
For existing. Not for what you do.
You’ve earned it, simply by being here.
By being you.
So go on, little snowflake.
Be your special flavor of fun.
The world needs more of you.
Please tell me your story isn’t done.
Tell me about the rebuild.
The stand-up.
The moment you choose to keep going.
Take that step out into the unknown.
Once you wake, and there’s sun, and you see the morning light.
Let the ground greet your feet. Let it support your height.
Stand tall for but a moment.
Let pride fill your chest.
A rainbow of emotions for to be living is to be blessed.
Honor the ones we’ve lost. The versions you had to lay to rest.
Acknowledge where you are, even if it hurts.
And hold hope, ever gently; tenderly so close.
Welcome to Earth, on this wonderful new day.
There may be gray clouds, so let me be the ray.
The one who greets you, who banishes away the night.
The one who says, I’m glad you showed up another day to fight the good fight.
Let us clasp hands, a silent pledge between brethren. Of chosen family and tribal home.
We’re in this to win it. We’re booting up version 2.0.
Now go be a Force of Awesome.
Spread confetti glitter made of cheer.
Make someone disgruntled with your joy.
Take up space.
Raise your voice in song.
Do all of the things we should have been doing all along.
Rage. Grieve. Bitch and burn to ash.
Then step into a new era. The one you deserved.
The one that’s your birthright.
The one where you belong, because everyone deserves a home.
With respect,
Aven
