Tougher Than You Think

by Jenn Wren

They dressed it up—

Who are they?

kindness in careful hands,

rules wrapped in ribbon,

a smile that came with a script.

There are conditions.

People, places,

with best intentions

but the knife slip.

Unintentional,

intentional—

witting or unwitting,

they say “good” and mean “quiet.”

be this, not that

And you—

The real you, listening, absorbing, cataloging

sat in pews of expectation,

pondering your questions with what you know

to those with which they say you should, shouldn't,

Watch your answer grow roots under the foundation

while your spirit ran wild in the rafters.

you are tougher than they know.

Tougher than you think.

You outlived the shadows

that tried to rename you.

You’ve carried heartbreak

like holy water—

spilled some,

kept enough.

You are not the rouge.

You are not the interlude.

You are what mends

again and again,

invisible lace

of astonishing grace.

Love yourself.

Forgive the skeleton

that took your face,

and those without sight.

You are not what happened.

You are

You survived.

they realize

You are tougher than they thought

They can be tougher than they think.