I have laughed

and I have cried.

I have protected

and I have sacrificed.

I have been there for,

I have adored.

I have loved

and felt love forevermore.

I have lost

and I have fought.

I have risked

and I have taught.

I have allowed my tongue to whip

to make you laugh,

to make you think.

I have been fruitful.

I have been frugal.

I have been scared

and I’ve been hopeful.

I have smiled,

yet ached inside.

I have lost,

yet somehow survived.

I have learned to stay grounded,

and take nothing for granted – 

in a flick, like a switch, in a second, in a blink, everything can spin into the hands of the wind.

I have laughed

and I have cried.

I have spent

and I have died…

inside my mind.