A Dignified Experience

Where I once felt a hopelessness A crashing of dignity A relentless fatigue I found a small but steady hope in the stillness of the day The smell of my paints The passion of a novel During the quietly twilling of notes Listening naked in a hot bath A desire to speak My life's work is not in being an architect and a painter A musician and a wantful mother It was in a simple need to see my reflection portrayed To act regardless of vessel For I cannot be alone This cannot be the only thing we collectively know For i was told to be terrified of my own existence Taught to hide all my imperfections Scolded for my hopes and dreams For this ambition This very need was argued to be a trick Up my disorder's sleeve I desire to be known This is not a rebellion This is me having courage It is my conviction that I am still deserving of Life's goodness That you too are deserving of a simple happiness For we are allowed grace and understanding when Speaking to our mental illness Shame will no longer be our companion We all deserve a dignified experience