Parker Stillwater

Dear Survivor,
I know you’re ready
for Survivor to stop
being your identity.
The part you crop
from insta stories
is the part that brought
you to right here.

I’m here, as there are others
who need to hear you
speak real clear,
about anything you want to.
Your full story is worth telling;
You’re worth pausing and reflecting.
An entangled knowing
including
the parts you’re ready to drop.

So, I’m here for the days
when you are ready to set down;
and also for the ways
parts of you incredulously ask how
there could be anything worth telling
beyond the pain and violence unwitnessed.
One day, I promise
they’ll integrate too
and know the meaning of pure bliss.

But I’ll tell you now a little secret
I’ve learned in all my asking –
bliss and pain are both unfit
for more than just this moment;
their only part in our forever story
is a series of
ongoing nows
never-ending hows
brought fully
to life
in a blink
or a wink
just think
about it.

We were never endless suffering-
we are what we choose
to fully feel
no matter how overwhelming
entrapping
dismantling-
feel it all
because I promise
there is this part
where it starts to feel
a little lighter.

And all we need
is just to start.