There’s parts of me the world can’t touch. I keep some things to myself. Buried deeply. I reach for the hollow spaces- that’s where the magic lives. There was a time where I would not believe you if you told me everything was going to be okay. But since then I’ve taken off some armor. Let my skin feel the sun. I was sad from the start- I saw the world peel back its ugly layers. Showed its teeth and bit back at the goodness that surrounded me. I never counted on it. Never held it closely. Count to ten and I feel my feet on the ground. Count to ten and I can almost hear my father’s laughter. Count to ten and feel something holy. Remember I’m here in passing. The world watched me roam and cracked its knuckles before swinging- I braced myself for the punch. Bloodied lips and all. I’m breaking through the surface. I’m calling everything out that touches sunlight and claiming it as my own. I’m getting better in some ways. It’s all glowing in new seasons where my heart blooms. This time around it’s about crawling before running and I’m okay with this version of the season. I’m willing to take it slow. Blooms softly and calmly this time around. Gently growing. -AMT ©️