not to be known always by my wounds

Not to be known always by my wounds
as I stand on the precipice of this day
choosing as I did

yesterday to take one more step
to breathe another breath
to say to the people I love

I see you.
Please see me too.
And as I choose

as I did yesterday
to use my voice to make a difference
I say now

I hear you.
Please hear me too.
I will be a stronger person so I can

hold the hand beckoning
even though I may not want to
go to where I am called

help the soul bleeding
despite the guilt for I made the hurt
in the first place

heal the wounds festering
regardless of the toll
even to the losing of

not to be known always by my wounds

My Self
Your Self
Our Selves

because I do not want the wounds to define me.