Shoot Me with Words and I Will Rise

I have known the ache of being picked apart by cultures trying to prey on my wounded heart. By predators whose cruel words were spoken, hoping they'd left me bleeding and broken. I've cried out in sorrow from slurs of disdain, felt the prick of their thorns like nettles of pain. I needed healing when my feelings were spurned Not bodily, but emotionally, I was wickedly burned. I rescued my heart as it bled upon the floor and decided not to allow the suffering anymore. I healed my heartache with a change of attitude by ignoring those who were mean and quite rude. To myself, I promised that I would always be kind and break free from pangs of pain in my mind. I focused upon healing my afflictions at great length and swapped my weaknesses for inner strength. The process of recovering was easier and achieved when I had a breakthrough and was finally relieved. I chose to ignore trivialities that once caused me pain. Now, my heart is filled with happiness with life again. I smile when others want to see my heart broken and recall words that Maya Angelou had spoken, "You may shoot me with words, cut me with your eyes, but from a past that's rooted in pain, I rise. I rise."* *'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou