Vulnerability

I’ve fought

This Battle

Since I was

Seventeen

It’s had no

Names

And many

It’s broken

Me and made

Me whole

Slowly stripped

Away muscle

Strength

But I

Won’t

Let it

Take my

Ability.

I’ve been judged

By some

Who look and say

“You don’t look

Disabled

As I fight

A battle

They cannot

Comprehend

And yet I

Press on

Because giving

Up is not

An option.

I’ve learned

To take joy

In the things

I do

Like working

With the kids

At Church

And writing

These words

But I’ve nearly

Been broken

By unkind

Words.

I have nieces

And nephews too

I love them Luke

My own

Some now grown

The oldest has a

Little girl of her

Own

And I’ll

Always love

Them like

My own.