Nguyet Mai

The healing journey isn’t linear.

It is maze-shaped,

spiraled like a spider’s web.

And some days,

you find yourself stuck,

a prey to your own mind,

wondering 

if you’re actually healing

the way you’re supposed to

because it’s been a long time,

but the tears still stain 

your pillow.

But healing, you’ll learn

doesn’t mean the wounds

disappear.

They are things

that bleed.

They ache and scream,

and when you think

they’ve become scars, 

they split open, 

reminding you 

of your humanity. 

No.

Not to taunt you,

but to remind you 

that your journey

isn’t about getting to a point

where nothing is able 

to hurt you or touch you. 

Your journey is about learning

to acknowledge, love, and accept

all the parts of you. 

Even the pain,

especially the pain

that sits inside of you. 

Embracing it.   

Even when it 

tears you apart.

Because, my love, 

the you that emerges 

after each rupture 

is nothing short of 

astounding.