I learned early that softness
was a liability
in a place where walls listened
and windows rattled with anger
you grew armor the way
other kids grew dreams
hope stayed hidden
folded small and tucked behind the ribs
growing up rugged
teaches you strange math
how love can subtract itself
how silence can weigh
more than shouting
you learn to read moods like the weather
to predict storms
from the way a door closes
childhood felt like a rumor
something bright you only saw
through passing windows
you learned how to keep breathing
in rooms that forgot to love you
and yet nothing forged
in fire comes out hollow
you carry a quiet authority
earned by endurance
your scars are proof you stayed alive
in a place that tried to make you vanish
you are not broken
you are carved by fire
heart still beating
skin still marked
and quietly
endlessly choosing hope
The Creative Chic
The Creative Chic 
❤ strange math…i love it. Mike
Thank you ❤️ sending you lots of love. Stay safe and warm
You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever known! Your life itself carries that hope! Keep showing this world how incredibly beautiful you truly are! ❤️🙂💞
Aww, thank you so much. I’ll do my best ❤️🙂💞
Endlessly choosing hope… As difficult as it can be at times, it is something we must endeavor to do.
Love the recording, once again. 💙
Sometimes, it’s the most difficult thing to do. Thank you, Michael, so glad you enjoyed it 💙
hope is a tool
for wise and fool
to cope and win the day
happiness is a mood
a chosen attitude!~
a chosen attitude indeed, thank you!
Really, LOVED this poem/audio!!!! Thanks so very much for your audio narration!!! It was beautifully done. Loved the slow and deliberate pace and intonations!!! That Brought it to life. When I closed my eyes it seemed that you were here sitting in the room sharing this!!Loved this stanza – especially the last half of the stanza:growing up ruggedteaches you strange mathhow love can subtract itselfhow silence can weighmore than shoutingyou learn to read moods like the weatherto predict stormsfrom the way a door closesBellissimo, Jennifer, Bellissimo!!! You are so Sweet to do this with an audio!!!!!Chuck😁💖💕🌹
You are just so sweet, Chuck! Thank you so very much.
😁😊💖💕🌹
Is this the best thing you’ve ever written? The metaphors, the imagery, the flow. Wow! Love this!
You’re so sweet, Noah. Thank you ❤️