The lions that live in the rib cages of my best friend’s broken down bones still scream. I didn’t have it in myself to show bravery, but I tried. Licked my wounds and learned to heal. My mom once said to me that there’s nothing stronger than a firm presence so I’ve been standing still ever since. Fists out- shoulders held high and heels dug into the mud once I rose back like spring foliage. I shake to release the trauma from the bad things that happened- my mind trembles and bones begin to break. The villains to my story bite back and I still feel the sting, but I shed weak skin and form a new barrier. Gather everything I’ve ever loved and make a home out of it. Call my friends in the morning to tell them I got home safe, just took the long way home. -AMT©️