Hearing My Beating Heart

I may burn like fire,

I may shatter like glass,

I may have shackles

attached to heavy bags.

I may spend my life

picking up the pieces

of what makes me human.

I may let you glance in,

see me through the cracks.
I may paint over the scars
that were placed by my hand.

I may be vulnerable

and tremble when my ground shakes.

I may have sharp edges,
that sting when hugged too close.

I may have eyes,

that have seen too many horrors.
I may be caught staring,
shifting grey lost a thousand miles away.

I may continue to stand

when my legs are too tired to hold.

I may have a boisterous laugh,

a little too forced into making it last.

It’s just the risk I have to take,
a choice I make each day.
A ship holding on water,
Trying not to shame the light
fighting to get through.

Just to live like I have a heart

that hasn’t been broken.

Faith Taryn Davies