Not My Own

This my friends, I give this to you. To new and old, some leaving, some coming, I give you my gratitude and my love."

Not My Own

I wasn't whole until I broke apart.
I didn't break apart until I was opened.
When scattered lines of experience
Sealed in memory and laughter and tears
Seared into my skin,
Melted through,
Reducing me to corners and edges.

I could suddenly cut.
I could cause damage,
I could hurt.

Then sandpaper.

Rough and shocking
Reprimanded. Rebuked.
Reproved. Redirected.
Smoothing and defining.
Reassured. Reassessed.
Recovered. Remade.

Honed by vulnerability
Chastened by kindness
Encouraged by weakness
Strengthened by fragility

I am newly formed.
I am wholly changed.
I am a sum of parts.
Revived and redesigned.

Restored by pure love.
By concern, by curiosity,
By compassion, by constancy.
I am their work.

My refiners. My stabilizers.
My rescuers. My guardian angels.
Myself is not my own.
I am theirs.



"God make me worthy of my friends."