The heart that endures is surely the strongest;
the one that labours under
the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes
and emerges, scarred, but unbowed, must certainly carry
a strength deeper than words;
The heart that weathers storms of pain,
fright, tears, anguish, and afterwards
remains, bent but unbroken in quiet defiance
of the tempest it has outlasted;
The heart that has been met at all crossroads by takers
and finds still depth from which to give and give and give again,
that has been misunderstood, mistreated,
and yet seeks evermore to be kind, fair, understanding, and gentle;
The heart that passes through the battlefields of life,
displaying uncommon grace under fire,
and carries on, wielding courage against tragedy,
celebrating triumph humbly and softly;
”Win or lose,” says this heart,
“I am here.
I am here, come what may.
I am here, scarred and imperfect,
mortal, no more, no less, I am here.”
This heart boasts not of its strength,
and in fact rarely admits its existence,
but it is there, a strength deeper than words
yet summed up in three:
“I am here.”
March 14, 2010
©PCB 2010
