I learnt to live, I learnt to stay

By Jayita Chatterjee

A voice inside me told me to pray

To give thanks and stay the way,

And not to think of what’s beyond today.

When I was weak… each day was hard

I could tell no days apart.

My body was battered... it wept, it cried

It wanted to break away and die.

But my spirit held strong and wouldn't let me give up.

The ravaged spirit wouldn’t give up.

I despised how I wasn’t strong

I felt I didn’t belong

I needed help with little things

I had to learn it wasn’t wrong.

It wasn’t wrong, and I wasn’t weak

It was a sign of respecting my new limits

And loving myself enough to accept the treat.

The treat that is the love of others…

Who wanted to help and truly felt my needs.

The body bore the trauma, but the spirit grew stronger.

I hope to live... to live much longer.

Those dark days when my mind would spiral

On lonely nights and rage a storm

Deep breaths and visions of happier days

Would lift me up and bring me home.

And so I gave thanks, and so I prayed.

And I lived and I stayed.

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