Whispers inside
Echoing unspoken glances interpreted
Polite declines
Invitations retracted
Applications rejected
Submissions that do not
make a long list,
short list,
someone else’s list
Trying is practice
Practice is building
Building me,
building craft,
building potential
Honing skill
Flexing muscles into strength
Celebrate a step taken
The breath drawn when stopping beckoned
Each attempt is more than not
Tomorrow, begin again
Success is mine
Make of it my shape
My definition.
This piece was written during a time of reflection and distress around safety, identity, and emotional, mental, and physical health in considering adaptation, endurance, resilience, and perseverance.
