Your Loss

“your trauma doesn’t define you”
my trauma does not define me
only if i allow it to 
if i allow the shadows to envelope me into their embrace
only if i allow myself to fall through their makeshift clouds 
becoming a part of the world 
that was created for me 
from the many tears shed
from the “you never say i love you” 
from the hugs never received 
from the touches i couldn’t understand 
from the secrets i swore to keep 
only then 
only then 
only then will my trauma mean my name
only then 
will the calling of isabelle 
 drive my stories through their closed drawers 
forcing themselves to be seen in the light 
only then do i become interchangeable 
the separation of me and what was unfolded unto me 
ceasing to exist 
then and only then 
will my trauma define me 
“your trauma doesn't define you” 
this i now know to be true 
as my trauma is not a reflection of my accomplishments 
my smile 
or the laughter that rings out from my throat 
when my friends are within my presence 
it is not a reflection of my passions 
it does not define me 
who i've become 
it is but a flower 
one that must be treated with care
allowed to blossom and explore 
but it does not create the whole bouquet 
it co-exists with all the other flowers
each individual one creating a maze of colors, patterns 
all equating to me 
isabelle 
my trauma does not define me 
i win 

your loss
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Agustin Avatar
September 27, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Xiang Avatar
April 29, 2023 at 9:02 AM
Thank you for your exposition on trauma. I was struck by your wisdom that trauma is but a flower in a bouquet of a person's life and must be treated with care. But if I may make an observation, does a daffodil feel win and loss? Letting go of trauma yet weathering insults as you have is to close the separation as you have deftly penned. I hope you win .. bravo
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