Monsters

The monsters in my closet

At eight years old

Surely have followed me

Into my twenties

Bringing with them scarier costumes

And graver consequences

For believing their power

My fears have followed me

But so has my spirit

Strength

Strength should not be measured
by weight or appearance
nor by how much we withstand

Strength is more
knowing full well
what lies ahead
experiencing the disasters
of the world
listening to the words
spoken against you
And standing in the midst
feet planted
into the concrete
raising your gaze
from the ground

To see what is ahead
to see what is good

That takes strength