If I Could Take Your Burden Away

The feelings you hold inside produce a storm

That rages daily without relief,

Even as the shadows and drizzling rain

Replace your pain with soothing melancholy.

I see your pain, feel your despair quickly replaced

By hope, then crashing back to its well-known abyss.

Sometimes my optimism seems like a curse,

When I want to take all your pain, bitterness and worry and

Consume it like a cancer with no regard for my life.

But I know that is not what you want,

Your loving and calm spirit wishes only for a relief from the darkness,

Not to drag others into your painful reality.

If love could cure the pain, I would heap it on you like soothing coals to

Burn away the scars, or like a blanket to cover you with the warmth of hope.

I will stand with you, strengthen you, carry your burden and

Retain the book of confidence for you, to read you bedtime stories

Of a little boy who crossed a great chasm,

Who fought dragons of internal despair and self-doubt,

And who emerged victorious at the end of your perilous journey

With an unbelieving backward gaze at all you have conquered.

I cannot write the story of triumph for you, but

I will always be there to carry your burden and read you the

Adventures of your life as you, in undying confidence and strength,

Write the next chapter. 

Crossroads

I feel like I am at a critical crossroads in my life.

Although I have accomplished almost every goal I ever wanted, it is not enough.

I feel like all I have done so far will be for nothing if I don’t reach this goal; like every positive thing I have ever believed about myself will be a joke, a cruel lie.

It is close enough to taste, but I have so much more work to do.

It is overwhelming sometimes. I want to give up, but that is not in my nature.

I picture my skeptics in the background with their ugly smirks, reminding me that I chose this life, so I should stop complaining; ready to break out their “I told you so” retorts when I have failed. 

But rather than shrinking back or retreating, I push forward; knowing that there is always a chance I will fail, but clinging to the chances of success like a warrior preparing for battle. 

I may fail, but if I do, I will not go down without a fight.

This is my time to shine, to show everyone I deserve to be here.

I want to show my family and friends to never give in to negativity or cynicism, never doubt yourself, and never give up on your dreams.

Fight for everything, and in that battle you will find the will to keep going.