Forged in Silence

If only I had loved myself the same intensity when I fell into the darkness of my mind, where every flaw I always find. If only the voice inside my head spoke hope instead of fear and dread, maybe the weight upon my chest would finally give my soul some rest. I built my strength through grief and pain, through broken trust and pouring rain. I wore my scars like a shield, while hiding wounds that never healed. I pushed myself beyond the line, mistaking suffering for a sign that if I hurt enough inside, then somehow I’d deserve my pride. But every war eventually ends, and even broken hearts still mend. Maybe the man I tried to be was never far ahead of me. Maybe the soul I could not save was buried underneath the pain. And all this time I searched for light, not knowing I could become the flame. -AIG