Unyielding Jewels

Each night I cried, I prayed and penned,

Thinking I could never mend,

To face the truth without defend,

While breaking from the old pretend.

The steps ahead were large and steep,

Illusions drove me far too deep,

Bounded by the fear to speak,

I barely stood upon my feet.

I kept on falling off the trail,

The voices said: you always fail,

Each backdrop left each shade more pale,

And all felt like a destined jail.

I cried out loud: how can I cope?

I have a thread, but need a rope,

Please show me just a glimpse of hope,

And free me from this endless slope.

I rose though bruised, my body sore,

Each fall still shook me to the core,

Yet somewhere past the dust and pain,

I glimpsed the sun beyond the rain.

But even after bright broke through,

The lightning struck with weight anew.

The dark returned, can I get through?

Will my turn come? It’s overdue!

I felt so broken, more forlorn,

Each step a fright, each foothold torn,

The winds grew wild, the skies had sworn,

Yet through the storm, new light was born.

The broken pieces molded tools,

The kind you never find in schools,

Unbound by all the social rules,

Carved from life’s unyielding duels.

The holes they carve reveal the light,

That holds me through the darkest nights,

I never thought I’d get that sight,

It gave my spirit wings for flight.

Each setback was a truth to learn,

A guiding warmth for my return,

What once had cast me to the side,

Now lives in me as strength applied.

The journey flows through loss and gain,

Through gentle peace, through lashing rain.

But every step, both soft and wild,

Gave me the jewels, in wisdom filed.

Cathrine Hottran 2025