To Her...

To Her,

The one whose laughter was lost in the shadows,

I wish I could recall you

But the years have blurred you,

and the memories are faded when I reach for them.

I have searched for you,

in dusty corners now forgotten,

in the places where pain left its mark.

I wonder if you hid there,

tucked between the cracks,

keeping yourself safe,

protecting me in ways I cannot see.

And though I cannot remember you,

I feel your presence,

in the strength that has grown in your absence.

You were there,

weren’t you?

Shielding me from harsh realities

carrying burdens too heavy for your small hands.

But I am not chasing you anymore.

I do not need to find you to honour you.

You have done your part,

woven your spirit into the fabric of who I am,

and now,

I let you rest.

in a long awaited peace.

Thank you,

for your resilience and strength,

for surviving when the world seemed too big.

And now,

you deserve rest,

and I deserve to move forward.

                                                                                        By: Emily Rice