Poem №024

The only way out
is though.

A tunnel of discomfort
lined with thorns of shame.

I’ve been here
a thousand times.

And it still makes me
want to hide.

It was never safe
to feel this much.

Stomach turns,
heart pounding.

It takes courage to pause
in the eye of the storm.

Breath slowly softens
the tightness in my chest.

This is me practicing a new way
of being with what’s present
and caring for my whole self.