Poor me
Is a disease
I’ve never had the luxury
Of having
Being able to stop
And rest
Or to think about myself
To feel sorry
For myself
To cry
For myself

Would have been nice
To cry ‘poor me’
Childhood ruined
Adulthood scarred
Sent out into the world
On my own
Still a young girl
Family and possessions gone
Left with nothing
But dark memories
Anger and fear

Struggling to survive
Homeless shelters
Cars
Apartments
Bars
Bike rides
Trains
Walking in the rain
I shouldn’t be here
Shouldn’t smile
Shouldn’t laugh
But I do
I never gave up
No matter how hard things were
Or how broken my heart
Or spirit was
Or how many obstacles
Were in my way
I never gave up

Along the way
I learned more about betrayal
Lies and deceipt
Abandonment
Abuse
Disrespect
Hate
Jealousy
And through all of these things
I learned forgiveness
And eventually found peace
Independence
Respect for myself
Trust in others
I learned that family
Isn’t in name only
And many ties bind truer than blood
I found friendships that didn’t fade
Like photographs
And I am greatful for every day
I live, breathe, laugh, learn and love
For every day the sun rises and sets
And for every night
The moon glows and the stars twinkle

Pity
Is not in my vocabulary
Never received it
Don’t understand it
Won’t take it
Won’t give it
Because poor me
Is a disease
It weakens the mind
Kills the soul
Wounds the heart
Steals ambition
Erases self respect
And respect for others
And eventually takes the life
Of those who give into it

I will always help
Those who help themselves
People who understand
And appreciate
Someone who is willing to help
People who need desperately
For someone to believe in them
And in their ability to be more
Even when they’re not sure
When everyone else
Has given up
Or doesn’t care

I’ve had a difficult path in life
Part by destiny
Part my own choice
I wholeheartedly admit
I’ve overcome adversities
And become strong
Like an oak tree
Fearless
Like a pilot in flight
I’ve learned lessons
Many will never learn
That now allow me to find peace and joy
In places and things
That most cannot
Yet hidden deep within my heart
Remains a small, weak spot
That won’t go away
A hunger
A need to fufill
Love
And respect
I never knew
I continue to give
Often to those
Unable to return it
As I try to heal wounds
In others
That I’ve seen
And healed
Within me

It’s not the life
That is given to you
That defines you
It is what you do with it
And I choose
To be happy
To never give up
To keep believing
In those who are struggling
To believe in love
And to
Never
Ever
Say
Poor me