Peace

Over the years I’ve gotten much better at the art of the self pep-talk

At first they were small, uncertain

But then they grew larger, more confident

Finally they told me that I dont have to be sure

I dont have to know the ending

I just have to be accepting.

I do not pretend to know what tomorrow brings

I dont fear it will all end, and I dont hope it will all blossom

For what I realized is, I’m happy with what I’ve left behind

The mistakes and the doubt and the fear were the precursors

To a legacy not of shame, but of contentment.

The little girl that was never given a chance

I carry her with me every day

I show her what we can build

And why we had to stay here to see it come to fruition

She is still easily frightened

But I protect her, and I protect her well

There is a lot she still does not understand

But little by little she learns that half the battle

Is accepting you’ll never understand.

I used to often visit the graves of the past

But not anymore

Sometimes I am dragged there, but I fight tooth and nail until I am free

The cemetery will always be there

And you will always drive past it

But you will pass it, and nothing more.

When you invent people for a living, you’re bound to run into some old faces

I have learned to embrace it

Because despite the blood, and despite the sorrow

Makes a damn good story, doesn’t it?